Ever have a fabulous dinner come to a screeching halt after an encyclopedic wine list hit the table with a resounding thud? Don’t feel bad. If I had to take a guess, I’d say only about one percent of diners know everything in the list. The other 99% of us are left feeling just like a high school kid about to take the SAT. Here, some simple steps to enhance your wine experience, minimize the intimidation factor and bring the fun back to dining with wine.
The Sommelier
Thumbing through a wine bible is the fastest way to transform an enjoyable dining experience into a dull one. Restaurants with said volumes most likely have a sommelier responsible for composing that leather bound wine tome. Rule number one when ordering wine: don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you’re chatting with a sommelier or a server, be vocal. Deciding whether you want red or white usually cuts the choices in half. If you like sweet wine, don’t be afraid to speak up. Servers aren’t mind readers, so share as much info on your likes and dislikes as possible.
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