As a wine connoisseur, there are a few things you want to do before ordering wine at a restaurant. The first is to know your wines and the food you’re eating.

Next, ask for recommendations from your server or sommelier. These experts are paid to help you decide which wine will go best with your meal and party.

1. Know Your Wines

If you want to order wine at a restaurant like a pro, you need to know your wines. Not only does knowing your wine help you pick out the right one for you, but it also helps you sound confident and impress your dinner companions.

Start by understanding the different terms used when describing a wine. These terms include varietal, terroir, oaky, bouquet, and taste. It’s also important to understand that there are many types of grapes, and each variety can have its own unique flavors.

You’ll also need to be familiar with the different regions of the world and how they produce different kinds of wines. For instance, the Barossa Valley makes a great shiraz, Tasmania has a nice pinot noir, and Clare Valley produces a zesty Riesling.

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to head over to the restaurant and start talking to the waiter or sommelier about your selection. They’re there to help you find a bottle that will suit your tastes and budget.

When you’re ordering, make sure to specify the type of wine that you would like and what region it is from. This way, the server or sommelier can recommend something that you’ll love.

Another thing to remember is that you should only pour a little bit of the wine in your glass, as this will enhance the flavor. This will also give the wine a chance to interact with the air, which will further enhance its taste.

Once you’ve made your selection, be sure to ask the server for a recommendation for food pairings, as well. This is also a good time to talk about your budget, as there are usually a wide range of price points for wines on a restaurant’s wine list.

2. Ask for Recommendations

The ritual of ordering wine at a restaurant can be daunting, especially for those who don’t know much about the drink. The thought of being presented with a list that’s filled with obscure names and quickly spiralling prices can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

Fortunately, there are some tips that will make this process a lot less intimidating for you. First, you should ask for recommendations from the server or resident sommelier before you begin to order your meals.

This is an excellent way to learn more about the different types of wines, so you can decide which ones you might want to try. You should also let the server know your taste preferences so that they can make recommendations that will go well with the dishes you plan to order.

You can also inform them of your budget so that they can make recommendations for the best options available. This can help you save money, so you don’t feel like you’re overspending on wine at a restaurant.

Once you’ve made your selection, you should ask the server to present you with the bottle so that you can confirm that it’s the same one you ordered. Be sure to check the date on the label as well as the price. It can be easy for a server to pull wines from a different year than the one you originally chose.

3. Know Your Food

Ordering wine at a restaurant can be intimidating for anyone, but especially for first timers. The last thing you want to do is look like a complete dummy because of your wine selection, or worse, end up drinking something that doesn’t taste good to you.

It is crucial to know your food before you start ordering, as this will determine which wines will work best with the meal you are planning. This is not only a great way to impress your dinner companions, but it will also save you a lot of hassle and headache.

One of the easiest ways to choose the right wine is to ask the waiter or sommelier for recommendations. They will be able to suggest some of the most delicious and interesting options that you would have not otherwise thought of, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Another thing to consider when choosing your wine is the style. The style of wine will indicate what the grapes used were, which will affect how it tastes. Some examples include dry, textural, fruity, and sweet.

You may want to also consider the type of wine, such as red or white, and if it is by the glass or bottle. It is important to know the difference because some restaurants offer wine by the glass only, while others have a limited selection of bottles.

Finally, be sure to check out the tasting notes on the menu, as this can be a great way to learn more about a particular wine. You can also tell your sommelier about your favourite varietals and regions.

Following these tips will help you order wine at a restaurant like a pro, and will be much more enjoyable for everyone involved.

4. Know Your Budget

Having a clear understanding of your budget before you go to dinner at a restaurant can make the experience much easier. It will help you avoid the embarrassment of being asked to choose a bottle that is way out of your price range, and it will help your server or sommelier understand your budget.

Start by determining your monthly fixed and variable expenses. This will include things like rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and car insurance. Then, identify any other expenses that vary month to month, such as food, clothing, and entertainment costs.

Next, create a spending log to track your purchases and keep them under control. This may be as simple as writing in a notebook or using a budgeting app on your phone.

Once you’ve determined how much you spend on each type of expense, it’s time to decide where your money will go. Set aside a portion of your income for the fixed expenses, and another portion for the flexible ones.

If you have a tight budget, stick to your plan. You can even create reminders with your credit card or bank account to alert you when you reach a preset spending limit.

A good rule of thumb is to choose wines that cost less than the average price of the meal you’re going to order at the restaurant. This will help you stay within your budget, and it will also allow you to try some new wines without breaking the bank.

As you start to explore wine more, you’ll begin to develop an idea of which types of wines pair well with certain dishes. For example, a full-bodied Cabernet pairs well with red meat such as steak or a roast. A Merlot, on the other hand, is a lighter-bodied wine that pairs well with poultry or fish.

5. Ask for Help

Having a glass of wine at dinner can be a great way to relax and enjoy time with friends or family. However, if you don’t know what to order, it can feel like a daunting task.

It’s always better to ask for help than to try and figure out what to drink on your own. The sommelier or waiter should be happy to help you choose a bottle that fits your tastes and budget.

When you’re choosing your wine, be sure to tell them what types of wine you like and don’t like. This will make the process much more streamlined and give them the chance to find you something delicious.

For example, if you don’t like dry whites but do like sweet wines, you can say that out loud and they’ll have better options for you. This also helps the sommelier get to know your palate and recommend wines that are similar to what you’re looking for.

Before you order a bottle of wine, take a look at the list to get an idea of what they carry. If you’re not sure, you can call them and ask for recommendations, or you can email the list to them in advance so they have it ready when you arrive.

You should also let them know what your price range is so they can offer you wines that are within it. If you don’t want to say it out loud, just point at a bottle on the list that is in your budget and tell them you would prefer something similar.

Finally, if you notice that a wine is going bad, don’t hesitate to ask for it to be reopened. This will save you money and the restaurant from any possible losses.