If you love wine but are wondering why adding it to your order when dining out is so costly, there are several reasons. This can include the fact that the alcoholic beverage may be imported, and that when we buy a bottle of wine while out to eat, we often are also buying the entire experience and atmosphere. It’s important to know exactly what you want to expect a more accurate bill. This includes knowing how much you want to drink and whether it’s in the form of a glass or full bottle.
We reached out to experts for tips on how to avoid two common mistakes when ordering wine. Read on for essential wine-ordering advice from Jane Wilkins, blogger and chef, Tim Powell, Managing Principal at Foodservice IP, and Amber Edwards, founder and business owner of Benny’s Bread and Butter.
Mistake #1— Being Intimidated & Not Strategizing Based On Price
Whether you're eating at a restaurant for the first time or just becoming familiar with its wine menu, ordering at a new place can definitely feel intimidating— especially if the one you chose is upscale or out of your normal comfort zone. Wilkins and Powell explain that you can feel less intimidated by strategizing before you arrive at the restaurant and by looking for key factors like pricing once you get there to determine what you really want. The key here is not to order on a whim, and to prepare ahead of time.
"Skim through the wine menu to get an idea of pricing levels and decide based on that," Wilkins advises when cost is an understandable concern. "Order what you will manage to drink. Many restaurants will try to start you off with a whole bottle." Wilkins notes that in some cases, it will make sense as you will usually "pay more if you pay per glass," but if you know that you just need two glasses, "then order two glasses," she says.
Also, don't be afraid to choose based on the price. "The taste difference between a good wine and great wine is not so big, but the price difference can be huge," adds Wilkins. "There is nothing shameful to ask about the price of the wine that you are being offered." Powell agrees, stressing not to order an entire bottle of wine, even if you feel pressured to, (which can be expensive).
"Anyone at a restaurant who does not want to pay more money should not buy a bottle of wine," Powell says. "Instead, a glass if suggested. Many consumers are too afraid to say they don’t know what a cabernet or merlot or even white zinfandel is – and restaurants know this." He explains that a bottle of wine has a "pour cost of about 22% and the gross profit is nearly 80%." The moral of the story here is to trust your gut and budget, and not feel intimidated or pressured to do what you normally wouldn't.
#2— Not Being Specific Re: Glass Size, Wine Type, etc.
Another important part of strategizing when ordering wine is noting the size of glass you want or the type of bottle (if you choose to order one). While being spontaneous can certainly make dining out more fun, you can still have a good time if you think ahead and know your limits and what you need vs. what you might want in the moment.
"I would say the most common mistake is made when ordering with the server," Edwards says, "if you are ordering a bottle of wine with a server at a restaurant (this miscommunication will not often happen if you are ordering with a sommelier), be as specific as possible as to which bottle you would like."
Edwards says that there are often many bottles over vast price ranges that could be confused. "Do you want the vintage California Cabernet or did you want the bottle from 2019? Do you want the Frog's Leap Zinfandel or the Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, or do you want the glass of champagne or sparkling wine? Be as specific as possible when ordering a bottle of wine or even a glass so you and your server know exactly what you want and there will be no surprises at the end of your meal," adds Edwards.
Something else that may cost you a little extra when ordering wine at a restaurant is not specifying what size of glass you would like. "Often but not always, restaurants will have 2 options to choose from (6oz, 9oz); specify which size you would like or you may end up spending a little extra," says Edwards. Lastly, Edwards says to ask yourself important questions when strategizing to ensure you stay within your budget range. "Think beforehand: will everyone at the table be drinking wine? If not, maybe order just a glass. If so, opt for a bottle."
So, what it really comes down to when ordering wine is knowing how much you want to spend, finding an affordable option, choosing whether you want a glass (and what size) or bottle (and what type) and the consensus shared among your dinner guests (splitting the wine cost if everyone is drinking, etc.) As these experts say, ordering wine when dining out can feel intimidating, but it doesn't need to be, especially if you arrive equipped with tried and true tips like these.
