Why learn to serve wine correctly?
If you’ve ever bought a bottle of wine at a fine restaurant, you may have noticed that the waiter not only pops the cork and pours you a glass, but goes through a specific process of opening the bottle, leaving the buyer to taste. the wine, then it is poured in a specific way.
This presentation may seem unnecessary, but like many formalities it is based on tradition, and serving the wine properly shows that the restaurant knows what it is doing. Most restaurants want to give their guests the impression that they are very important customers, especially when they are going to pay top dollar for a bottle of wine!
This formal presentation of the wine adds to the exclusive atmosphere of the restaurant and makes the guest feel important. When you are serving the wine, it shows that you are professional and know your business well.
7 steps to serve wine in a restaurant
Step 1: Prepare the wine glasses ahead of time. Make sure there is a cup for everyone who will drink wine. Make sure you have the right glasses for the wine (red, white or sparkling wines require different glasses). If you’re unsure about the glass, go to my website and see my wine glass types page for a guide on which glass should be used with which wine (this is important!).
Step 2: Bring the wine up to the table. Present it to the person who ordered it with the label facing them. Announce the wine. For example, say “the 2003 Chateau Latour Pauillac, sir.” This is just so the person can verify that you brought them the correct bottle.
Step 3: Hold the bottle in one hand and use your wine key to remove the cork. Try to pull the cork out without making a pop. If it’s champagne or sparkling wine, definitely don’t pop the cork and shoot it across the room (fun though).
Stage 4: Present the cork to the person who ordered the wine. Some people want to inspect or smell it to make sure it hasn’t dried out.
Step 5: For a small amount in the glass at the head of the table (the person who ordered the bottle). Let him taste it to make sure it’s okay.
Step 6: Fill the glasses of the other guests, ladies first, in a clockwise direction. Fill the host’s glass last. Only fill glasses halfway.
Step 7: If there is any wine left in the bottle, leave it on the edge of the table (if it is a red wine) or in a cooler (if it is a white wine). Guests will then refill their own glasses as needed.
These are the 7 basic steps to serve wine to a waiter or sommelier. There are other things to consider, including the serving temperature of the wine and whether or not you should aerate it or use a carafe. For more information on these topics, go to my website.
