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July
07
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Wine Etiquette With Ease
Correct wine etiquette makes the tasting experience much more
enjoyable. Like most interests, there is a set of protocol that most
wine lovers adhere to. Good taste dictates that tasting at wineries,
ordering wine at restaurants, and hosting a dinner party all require
certain formalities.
Tasting Room Etiquette
In a winery's tasting room, white wines are generally tasted first,
followed by reds, and then dessert wines. Within these categories,
lighter-bodied wines preceed fuller-bodied ones. Water and crackers
may be offered to cleanse the palate between each wine. Correct wine
etiquette does not dictate that you must finish every glass. Winery
tasting rooms provide jars to dispose of excess wine. Do not feel
that you need to sample every wine offered- taste what appeals to
you.
If you ask for a second tasting of a particular wine, it is in good
taste to buy a bottle. Many wineries charge tasting fees which are
generally applied to any purchase. It is not mandatory that you buy
wine; purchase only what you desire. That being said, if you have
made an appointment at a small winery, it is in good taste to make a
purchase. Proper wine etiquette dictates that you not bring children
to a tasting room.
General Restaurant Wine Etiquette
Wine service at a nice restaurant can be an unneccessarily
difficult ordeal. The following tips will allow you to follow the
customs of wine service with ease and confidence.
When choosing a wine from a restaurant's wine list, the main goal is
to accomplish a suitable pairing with the entrees of your party. If
the food orders are too different to generalize with one wine,
consider purchasing splits or ordering by the glass. Waiters and
sommeliers are there to answer your questions, but availing yourself
to their services and advice will be much more beneficial if your
questions are relatively specific.
For example, don't ask the sommelier, "What goes well with a rack of
lamb?" Rather, ask, "I'd like to balance the spiciness of the lamb
with a full-bodied, Syrah-based Rhone. Do you have any favorites?"
Your effort will be appreciated and service and interaction will be
more seamless. I guarantee you will be more pleased with the
outcome.
After ordering, the waiter/sommelier will retrieve your selection,
and then present it, label forward, to the host of the party. This
is merely to verify it is the correct wine. The cork is removed and
placed on the table. Unless it is clearly tainted, (the
waiter/sommelier should notice if it is) do not touch or smell it,
as it means nothing.
A small amount will then be poured for the host. Swirl the wine in
the glass, smell, then taste. This is to make sure the wine is not
spoiled and is not an opportunity to send back a sound wine that you
are not crazy about. After approval, the wine will be poured
clockwise to the right, ladies first. The host's glass will be
topped last.
Corkage Etiquette
It is increasingly customary in many parts of the country for
restaurants to extend corkage policies for patrons whom wish to
bring their own wine. However, this is not the case everywhere,
(especially on the East Coast), and proper wine etiquette dictates
that several things should be kept in mind.
Always call the restaurant in advance to verify that corkage is
allowed. Also ask what the fee is to avoid any surprises. In my
experience, very few restaurants charge over $20 as a corkage fee.
Some restaurants will waive this fee if an additional bottle is
purchased from the wine list, but do not assume that this is always
the case.
Wine brought to a restaurant should be relatively unique or rare,
and definitely should not appear on the restaurant's wine list.
After the waiter/sommelier opens and pours the contents, proper wine
etiquette dictates that you offer them a taste. Following these
guidelines will ensure that both you and the restaurant staff are
happy.
The Duty of the Host at Dinner Parties
The duty of the host toward his/her guests is one of the most
ancient and enduring forms of etiquette in human civilization. When
serving wine, making sure that your guests are comfortable with the
process should be your paramount concern.
Before serving, always allow wine time to breathe at room
temperature. Never pour wine for guests immediately after opening.
It is the host's responsibility to discreetly ensure that the wine
is sound and unspoiled. This should be done away from company, and a
small amount should be sampled.
Always serve wine to your guests in clean, spotless glasses. This
may seem obvious, but it is a very mistake. Additionally, if more
than one wine is served, make sure that they are poured in a logical
progression.
Especially with older wines, be aware that there may be a
significant amount of sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Keep
this in mind when deciding the portion given to each guest. Avoid
the embarrassing instance of the last person receiving an
unacceptable amount of solids in their glass. If this is a concern
with a particular bottle, refrain from pouring the last half glass.
It may be necessary or beneficial to decant a wine to either remove
sediment or to expose it to oxygen. Be cautious with this practice,
as older wines may quickly fade if left in a decanter for too long.
Wine enjoyment should be an enjoyable and unintimidating process.
With these tips in mind, you are prepared for the majority of social
situations that involve wine.
By
Benjamin Bicais
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Happy shopping.
Indulge your senses,
Leslie Maliepaard
WineWeb.co.za Editor
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