How To Get The Most Out Of A Wine Waiter
Talking to a sommelier or wine waiter in a restaurant can be intimidating. So we here at VideoJug have put together this advice on how to order wine in a restaurant and get the most out of a wine waiter.
Step 1: The wine waiter or sommelier
A sommelier is the French word for a wine waiter/steward.
Usually found in more expensive restaurants.
They should have extensive knowledge of the restaurant's wine list, and know which wines match each dish.
Step 2: Choosing the wine
Think about the sort of wines that you like to drink. Are they light and fruity? Are they rich and heavy? Don't be afraid to tell your waiter what you like.
Also think how much you want to spend.
What are you eating? Why not watch VideoJug's food&wine matching films?
Are there any wines you recognise or like on the list? Ask the waiter to recommend a similar wine, or a wine in the same price range.
Step 3: Wine service
The waiter/sommelier should open the bottle at your table. Don't accept the wine if it is brought to the table already opened – because you won't know how long it has been open.
First check the label to see if it what you ordered.
The server should then pour you a small amount to taste. This is not to see if you like the wine. It is to see if the wine has a fault.
The waiter might also offer you the cork, so you can examine it's quality and condition.
First look at the wine for visible faults like excessive cloudiness.
Then smell the wine. If the wine is faulty/corked, you can usually smell this before you even taste the wine.
Then take a taste.
If there are no problems with the wine, ask the waiter to pour. They shouldn't over fill your glass more than half full, allowing you space in the glass to swirl and aerate.
Step 4: Complaints
If you have any complaints at all about the wine, let the waiter know immediately, don't drink the whole bottle and then expect not to pay!
If it's a wine you chose yourself that doesn't have any faults, but you just don't like it, then it's generally not acceptable to send it back. Only send wine back if it's faulty, or if it's a wine the sommelier recommended that you don't like.
