Wine 101: How to Order Wine at a Restaurant
Fun fact, I used to work at a restaurant! Like, a really really nice restaurant. The kind of restaurant that has 7 course meals and wine pairings. Meaning, I spend a good chunk of my early 20s learning about wine! Ordering wine can be pretty intimidating when you’re at a restaurant, so I’m going to do a little crash course for you guys & teach you how to order wine at a restaurant!
How to Order Wine at a Restaurant
First things first, let’s talk about the most common types of wines. That way, if you look at a wine list you’ll have some idea what your options are.
Wine is made with grapes, but not the kind of grapes you buy at the grocery store. Wine grapes have thick skins, are small, sweet and have seeds.
There are technically wines that pair better with certain types of foods. But at the end of the day, I think it’s more important to figure out what you like. From there, you can try new things. But it’s always nice to have a “go to” order.
Here are 8 types of wines that you’re likely to see at a restaurant (or grocery store):
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Zinfandel
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Gris
- Riesling
So, you’re ready to order wine at a restaurant… wtf do the words on the wine list mean!?
Cabernet Sauvignon
How do you pronounce it?
“Kab-er-nay Saw-vin-yawn”
What does it taste like?
Think darker fruits like black cherry and black currant. With other flavors like baking spices and black pepper.
What’s the best way to explain it?
Cabernet Sauvignon is considered a full-bodied red wine.
The best way to describe it: Big, Bold & Dry.
It has a fairly high amount of tannins, which makes it a dryer wine. You can tell a wine has high tannin if it dries out your tongue and leaves a slightly bitter flavor in your mouth.
What food should I order it with?
I call this the meat & cheese wine. Whether you’re ordering a nice steak or a cheeseburger, a “Cab” is a great pairing.
Think: lamb, beef, smoked meats & firm cheeses (like parmesan or cheddar).
What are some other similar wines?
Alright, so if you figure out you like Cabernet style wine, here are some other options you can try next!
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Carménère
- Bordeaux Blends
Syrah
How do you pronounce it?
“Sear-ah”
What does it taste like?
Like all wines, the flavor will vary depending on where it’s from. But generally, think darker fruits, vanilla, clove & even a little licorice.
What’s the best way to explain it?
Syrah is a dry, full bodied wine. I remember someone referring to it as “dark and powerful” once. while it has some of the dark fruit flavors, it’s also got savory elements, making it great for pairing with food.
The best way to describe it: Bold, Savory & Ripe.
What food should I order it with?
The three B’s: Burgers, Blue Cheese & BBQ!
Syrahs are great with strong cheeses & help kind of cut through some of the saltiness. Burgers and Syrah compliment each other really well because they’re both “meaty and smokey”. Which is why it also works well with BBQ!
What are some other similar wines?
- Malbec
- Petite Syrah
- Monastrell
- Pinotage
Zinfandel
How do you pronounce it?
“Zin-fun-dell”
What does it taste like?
People often refer to Zinfandel wines as “jammy”, meaning they have notes of berries, cherries, plums, raisins, etc.
What’s the best way to explain it?
Also called a “Zin”. It’s a medium bodied wine. These bottles also have some of the highest alcohol content!
What food should I order it with?
I like to order it with Chicken & Pork. It pairs really well with Italian, Chinese, Thai & Indian entrees too!
What are some other similar wines?
- Grenache
- Tempranillo
- Carignan
Pinot Noir
How do you pronounce it?
“Pee-no Nwar”
What does it taste like?
Pinot Noir tends to taste like red fruits (cherries, cranberries, etc.). But can also have elements of mushrooms, truffles, savory spices & beets.
What’s the best way to explain it?
It’s a lighter bodied red wine. It’s dry & smooth with high acidity and lower tannins.
What food should I order it with?
Pinot Noir is one of the easiest wines to pair with dishes. When in doubt, it’s a great pick. I like eating it with vegetable dishes, chicken, fish & seafood & even charcuterie platters.
What are some other similar wines?
- Gamay
- Schiava
Chardonnay
How do you pronounce it?
“Shar-dun-nay”
What does it taste like?
The first white wine on our list! Most of the time, the first thing people associate with Chardonnay is a “buttery flavor”. But it can also have notes of vanilla, coconut, baking spices, citrus & tropical fruits.
What’s the best way to explain it?
It’s a medium to full bodied white wine. When it’s oak aged, it will have kind of a spicy, bourbony flavor. When it’s not oak aged, it will be a lot lighter and fruitier.
What food should I order it with?
It’s great with fish (halibut & cod), shellfish, chicken & pork! If you’re at an Italian restaurant for instance, it will pair really well with a creamy sauce like alfredo.
What are some other similar wines?
- Semillon
- Viognier
Sauvignon Blanc
How do you pronounce it?
“Saw-vin-yawn Blonk”
What does it taste like?
Sauvignon Blanc wines are my go to. They’re refreshing and usually sweeter than Chardonnay. Usually with flavors like lime, passionfruit, white peach & green apple.
What’s the best way to explain it?
It’s a dry, white wine. Wines will be on the tart side, but still sweet & fruity.
What food should I order it with?
It’s a pretty easy and forgiving wine in the world of food pairing. I normally recommend ordering it with chicken & fish. If the entree or appetizer you’re ordering has a lot of herbs, goat cheese or nutty cheeses – it’s a great pairing. Sauvignon Blanc also work well if you’re at a Mexican, Vietnamese or French restaurant.
What are some other similar wines?
- Vermentino
- Verdejo
- Gruner Veltliner
Pinot Grigio
How do you pronounce it?
“Pee-no Gree-jo”
What does it taste like?
Think: lime, lemon & pear, with floral notes.
What’s the best way to explain it?
Pinot Grigio & Pinot Gris are “the same” grape varietal, just from different regions. It’s a dry, light bodied wine that is easy to drink and great on a hot day.
What food should I order it with?
Pinot Grigio is great with light meals like salads, poached fish and mild cheeses.
What are some other similar wines?
- Albarino
- Soave
- Melon
Riesling
How do you pronounce it?
“Reese-ling”
What does it taste like?
As far as white wine go, Rieslings have strong fruit flavors (like apricot & pineapple).
What’s the best way to explain it?
Riesling wines have high acidity (similar to lemonade). Younger (less aged) Riesling wines are fruity and floral. Depending on where the grapes are grown, fruitiness can range from citrus to pineapple.
What food should I order it with?
Riesling pairs well with all food types, but it actually tastes best when paired with spicy foods. That means, it’s a great pick when you’re at a Thai or Indian restaurant!
What are some other similar wines?
- Gewürztraminer
- Chenin Blanc
- Viognier
- W
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