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Restaurants make a lot of money off wine. A lot
of "why's" justify this, which Winegirl won't comment
on. Here's how to get the best value out of your restaurant wine.
Bring
Your Own?
This is perfectly fine, but be prepared to pay
a corkage fee. You're using the restaurant's glassware and time,
which makes this a fair trade. If your wait person "forgets"
the fee, make sure you cover it in the tip. Some restaurants will
waive fees for wines from their local wine region -- check it out.
One thing: you know that Winegirl doesn't care what you do, but
the staff will look at you odd if you bring a bottle of el-cheapo
into the restaurant for your meal.
What to Select
Generally, go for the wines you know and trust.
Ask your table mates what they like. If not sure, ask your wait
staff or the restaurant's Sommlier. Don't be shy, and don't fear
the worst. Winegirl and pal were in a very upscale restaurant in
Las Vegas, with several $300 wines on the list. We asked the Sommlier
for help. He asked us our budget ($45 max) and what wine characteristics
we liked, and he found us a perfect bottle for our meal and budget.
The Opening Inspection
The bottle is opened in front of you for several
reasons. This is what you do:
- You get to look at the label and make sure
that if they are charging you for the 2001, they are not serving
you the 2005.
- You then get to see the condition of the
cork. It should look wet where the wine was in contact, be firm
and spongy. If it's dry, be prepared for a wine that tastes
like vinegar. If it's moldy, it will takes like mold, etc.
- A small taste will be poured into your
glass. Look at it, swirl it a bit to give it some air, and take
a taste. If you like it, accept it. If you're not sure, ask
someone at your table to try it. You can even ask your pourer
to try it. Unless the wine tastes spoiled in some manner, please
don't be a jerk and send it back just because you have the power.
If the restaurant made the recommendation, and you really don't
like it, then they are obligated to get you a bottle of something
you would prefer. Try to articulate the flavor you don't like
so they can steer clear of that in their next recommendation.
How Much to Order?
One 750 ml bottle of wine contains about
4-5 glasses of wine.
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