http://www.the-winery.net/good-wine-listing/
Take control of the Wine List
Imagine this: You are sitting at an upscale restaurant with one of your best customers and then delivered a letter wine list thicker than a college textbook. You want to choose the "perfect" wine to impress your client, but everything is written in a foreign language. After just a few minutes, the server asks if you have made your selection, so he decides to order the most familiar thing in the menu. Not sure your selection will be coordinated with their meals, and costs more than your boss will tolerate for a client dinner. At the time it reaches the bottle has been broken into a cold sweat and is ready to take a good drink! The good news is that understanding the three main forms of wine lists are organized is the first step to prevent this from ever happening to you.
There are three main types of wine lists – those organized by grape variety, by geography (or, when it does), and flavor profile (progressive). Note that some lists are a mixture of several of these methods. Let's explore each of these three types of wine lists:
By Grape varietal. Organized by the main grape variety used for winemaking, this type of list definitely appeals to our conscience varietally culture. Can be organized by country or state. Thinking about the first grape varieties and origin of the second is an American trend. Many European countries are now trying to focus more grape varieties in spite of regulations prohibiting rated wines of the relationship of these on the label. Sections of the popular varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, are usually on the list as well as an "other varietals" category of white and red. These sections of the varieties less well known can often be more interesting, and is where many businesses can find!
By geography. The wine list is organized by country of origin and often have more specific subcategories, such as regions or state, which is the traditional type of wine. If you love wine French, such a list makes it easy. Flip to the section of French and then see what the regions and wine are offered. The grape variety used (or not) is shown with wines in this type of list. This is not a problem for most U.S. wine from wine is usually labeled by grape varieties, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. The European wine sector, however, tends to focus on the region where it occurs and assume that we know what grapes are grown. Although the main grape of Burgundy are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, they will not appear on the best bottle of Burgundy wines.
Progressive. This type of list is a relatively new approach is organized by flavor and body profile. A typical class might be light-bodied dry whites and wines in this category may be ordered more maximum light. This allows diners to search for the type of wine they like and then sorting options in the same category of flavor and body. Your favorite grape or countries may be located in different categories. Once you get the hang of these lists are tons of fun. They require no special knowledge of geography or grapes, only a knowledge of what you like.
We hope that a better understanding of the three most common forms restaurants organize their lists. The geographical and varietal grape lists represent 80% of the lists found, but the list may be a gradual upward trend for the future. Hopefully the next Once you take an important client (or someone special) to the dinner will be impressed with his ability to find the wine at a time!
© 2007 Laurie Forster, Wine Coach ®
About the Author
Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach®, combines her extensive knowledge of wine with her experience as a life coach. As The Wine Coach®, Laurie creates unique and fun corporate events, private events and tours that help people de-mystify wine one glass at a time. To learn more about The Wine Coach® and to sign up for her FREE Weekly Wine Tips, visit www.TheWineCoach.com
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