How to pick a wine at a restaurant

Ever feel like you’re just playing the wine lottery when you look at a wine list and have no clue which wine to pick?   Choosing a wine from a wine list can be intimidating!  Even if you’ve never heard of any of the wines on a menu, you can still select a great wine and not spend a fortune.

Does the right choice come down to price?

Yes and no.

You can get a great bottle of wine that doesn’t cost a fortune – and if the restaurant has a great wine program, you can be confident that choosing a bottle that fits your taste and price range will be a wine that you’ll enjoy.

Restaurants that have good wine programs are typically not cheap restaurants… they tend to be more fine dining and have a wine list to match their cuisine.  So, those restaurants will have a wide range of prices on their wine list, but that doesn’t mean the lower priced bottles are not great wines — in fact, most likely, the lower priced wines are great wines because they have someone who has put a lot of thought into the selection.

On the flip side, if the restaurant has a short wine list, they probably haven’t put a lot of research into the wines and they may not be fabulous picks.

Tips to pick a wine at a restaurant

• Red or white? Deciding on red or white is the simplest way to narrow down your selection.
• What type? Just like picking out a grocery store wine, know the varietals and areas you like the most will help you pick something similar. Wine lists will usually have the wines organized by varietal (Cab, Merlot, Chardonnay, etc.) and will list the geographical area like Alexander Valley, California or Provence, France. If you know you love an Alexander Valley Cab or a Rosé from Provence, it’ll be easier to make your selection when faced with a wine list of wines you’ve never tried.
• Ask your server his/her opinion.  Wait staff is often trained on the wine list, and can ask you a few questions to lead you to the right selection.  They should give you a few options with different price points so you can make your final choice.
• Check the wine list before you visit. If you’re really into wine, check out the wine list and read some reviews about a few of the wines before you dine.
• Research. Wine Spectator publishes an annual list of restaurants that have an outstanding wine list by state, which is a good issue to keep on hand as you’re adding new restaurants to your “date night” list.
• Pricing. If the restaurant has a great wine list, a lower priced or mid level wine will most likely be a great wine because they have put a lot of effort into putting their wine list together.  
• Maybe opt for beer. If your choices are “house red” and “house white”, opt for beer instead 🙂 If a restaurant has a very short wine list, they have not put much thought or research into their wine list.
• Just get the bottle. Wines by the glass are typically priced more per glass than purchasing the whole bottle. Consider buying a bottle instead. In some states, like South Carolina, you’re allowed to cork an open bottle to take home.  So, you can get a nice bottle at dinner and enjoy a few glasses at dinner and the rest at home later.

5 Local Restaurants with Killer Wine Lists

• Joe’s Bar & Grille
• Perrone’s
• SeaBlue Restaurant
• Hook and Barrel
• Villa Romana Italian Restaurant

Do you have any tips for choosing a wine at a restaurant? Comment below.

Want to read more about wine? check out our Wine Guide!