Expert tip: this is the way to always choose the right bottle of wine in a restaurant
Do you also find it nerve-racking to order a bottle of wine in a restaurant? Believe us, you’re not the only one. Even seasoned wine lovers sometimes come across a wine list featuring wines they’ve never tasted before. The fact that you can never have tasted every wine in the world is what makes it fun! And with this tip, you’ll always order the best bottle (for you)…
The tip comes from expert Michael Cecchi-Azzolina, who has more than thirty-five years of experience as a waiter and maître in New York’s most popular restaurants. This is his foolproof advice for ordering a bottle of wine:
Leave it to the expert
This may sound nerve-racking too, but dare to make a statement and ask. When you have the person responsible for the wines at your table (and who is hopefully nice and knowledgeable), say, “This is what I’ve ordered to eat and this is my budget for a bottle of wine. Could I please have a bottle that you think pairs well with this dish?” Or: “I’d like to pay between forty and sixty euros for a bottle, I like light red wines [or whatever you like], what is the best bottle of wine within that budget?”
Don’t fall for upselling
According to Cecchi-Azzolina, it’s best to trust the expertise of the person responsible for the wine on site, while being clear about your budget. What doesn’t he like? “Do watch out for upselling. When they come back to you and say, ‘You wanted to spend a maximum of forty euros, but this sixty-euro bottle is really veeeery good!’ Stand your ground; I never want to be led somewhere I don’t want to go.”
Also read:
- How to: pair wine and food
- Nominated sommelier Rianne Ogink recommends 5 wines that are fantastic and very affordable
- Ka-ching! These are the most sought-after (and expensive!) wines in the world
Source: Tasting Table
