It can be overwhelming to be handed an extended vino catalog at a restaurant. Multiple pages alongside small imprint can be an overload of data — anxiety ensues, and you're not certain what to order.
But as a sommelier, I've trained to comprehend all those small details, so you don't have to.
Here are the mistakes I see group create whenever ordering vino — affirmative direction for what to do alternatively next period you're dining out.
Ordering item they can readily buy at their local grocer
Sommeliers activity difficult to curate thoughtful and engaging vino lists at restaurants. If you can get the vino at your market shop or any retailer you frequent, skip it during you're out.
Dining out is a period to examine and detect item new. This can be a grape you've never had, a manufacturer you've never heard of, or a vino from a new-to-you region.
Sure, you've had a Tuscan red wine, but have you had a red vino from Oltrepò Pavese made from pinot-noir grapes? At Italian restaurants, I continually appearance out for bottles of La Genisia pinot.
Exclusively sticking alongside overpriced bottles from important vino regions
Bordeaux is extensively considered among the finest vino regions in France, and Napa Valley reigns supreme in the US. So, it's no astonishment that their wines frequently have cost tags to equivalent their choose status.
Instead, I continually appearance for areas near these benchmark regions to develop my horizons and preserve a few bucks.
Just exterior Bordeaux is a area called Cahors, which is known for making wines from the malbec grape. Crocus Wines is a reputable brand to try.
In conditions of Napa alternatives, I lean to attain for bottles from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino. Classic producers contain Goldeneye Winery and Husch Vineyards.
Only always ordering pale wines inside their comfort zone
Ubiquitous, "comfort zone" pale wines akin chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and pinot grigio lean to have cultlike followings.
If you're open to branching out and are in a white-wine rut, I say commencement by taking a nearer appearance at the menu. For example, Italy has a treasure trove of "under the radar" varieties.
The nation is residence to complete 1,000 native grape varieties, but my favorite Italian regions to appearance for on menus contain Sicily, Collio, and Lugana.
Planeta and Monteleone are two of my favorite brands in Sicily. Primosic and Terre del Faet are top producers in the Collio region. And in Lugana (an all-white vino region), Ottella and Selva Capuzza reign supreme.
There are so many awesome varieties value trying if you cognize a few keywords to appearance for.
Going for the full-bodied, high-alcohol reds
Over the years, I've observed that American vino drinkers really akin big, assured reds.
The issue alongside ordering specified wines at many restaurants is that the bottles are frequently too young. They'd advantage from several aging, but restaurants need to market their wines, so it's a bit of a conundrum.
My resolution is to dapple alongside light-bodied reds that are prepared to beverage whenever bottled. The finest examples contain gamay, Cinsault, and valdiguié wines.
Some of my favorites contain Camins 2 Dreams' gamay, Two Shepherds' Cinsault, and J. Lohr's valdiguié.
If it's hot out, regard enjoying these reds lightly chilled. Have the sommelier put the vino on ice during you peruse the list and command your food.
By the period your appetizers are served, the vino volition be prepared to enjoy.
This narrative was initially published on September 15, 2024, and most lately updated on October 26, 2026.
Read next
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Brianne Cohen is a Los Angeles-based event producer, certified sommelier, vino educator, and vino writer.On the vino learning side, she hosts in-person and virtual vino tasting experiences for company groups. She does this by highlighting diverse-owned wineries (i.e., Black, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women-owned). Brianne regularly judges at global vino competitions and has a master's of endeavor administration from Loyola Marymount University.She can be established online on Instagram and LinkedIn.
