3 tips for navigating restaurant wine lists
Restaurant wine lists can be intimidating at all sorts of levels, particularly to someone who isn’t used to eating out, or who might be acting as the host for the first time.
Fear not, because confidence can come with experience and wider knowledge about wine. There are plenty of basic wine courses now available to help here.
However here are some suggestions to help you on your way.
Tip 1: Decide your budget
Firstly I suggest that before you go into the restaurant, you have some idea in mind as to how much you want to spend on wine and stick to it. This will then help you in your choice.
If the bottle prices are all above what you were hoping to pay, most restaurants now offer wine by the glass, so you can look at that selection.
Tip 2: Think about your meal
Whilst there is a great deal of advice about food and wine pairings, this can be too rigid and I feel that it is important that you choose a wine that you are going to enjoy, but this should not prevent you from being adventurous.
Take a look at our blog here on some great food and wine pairings to try if you’re feeling up for it!
For example, if you normally enjoy a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, why not try something else from the same grape-variety, a Pouilly-Fumé, for example or a Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon instead of a wine from Bordeaux, if they are within your price-range.
Tip 3: Ask for help
Finally, do not hesitate to ask for advice. A good sommelier should be able to suggest a wine within your price range to go with the food that you are ordering. They’ll be there to assist you with their restaurant wine list.
What is important is that you should enjoy your meal. Do not let fear of making a mistake prevent you from achieving this.
Shop our range of wines
Whether you already know your favourite wine that you like to choose at a restaurant, or want to start discovering what you enjoy, you can shop from a wide range of wines on our site.