|
 TM
Impress Her!: A Guy’s Guide to Ordering Wine
Edited by Jennifer L. Price
 Do you know the difference between a Shiraz and a Syrah?
What about a Chardonnay and a Chianti? If you break out into a sweat when the
waiter hands you a wine list as you attempt to impress your date, the Click Wine
Group has created a Guy’s Guide to Wine to give you a hand on Valentine’s Day.
Peter Click, the founder of the Click Wine Group, says that drinking wine is entertainment—so don’t forget to enjoy
it. And following the tips below will help:
Ask for Direction: Although men aren’t used to
asking for directions, it’s okay when it comes to ordering wine. The wine
steward or sommelier (some-mal-yay) is there to help you. They will be able to
give you a clear description and recommendation.
Not on the House: Peter finds the house wine
usually be of mediocre quality, so he warns you to stay away from it.
Go With What you Know: If you have hade a little
experience with wine and you know a certain brand or type of wine you enjoy, go
ahead and ask the wine steward to recommend something similar. You’ll get a
wine that you enjoy and you’ll sound like you know something.
Pricing: Wines at fine restaurants can cost
hundreds of dollars, but higher costs does not necessarily mean higher quality.
Resist the urge to impress your date by spending a lot of money on the wine—the
server or sommelier will usually recommend a number of options that have the
same flavor at a varying price range.
Red vs White: You may have read or heard about
several “rules” for when to drink red and when to drink white. The easiest rule
to remember in this case is to just ask your date what she’d prefer. Then order
it.
Play the Field: This is not referring to your
dating habits (we are talking about you trying to impress a date, after all),
but to your taste in wine. Join the crowd and order your wine by-the-glass.
The wine steward or server will be glad to recommend a wine that pairs
perfectly with your appetizer, entrée and even dessert.
Get With the Times: Try saying “Sancerre Les
Belles Vignes” and a glass of “Domaine Jean Chartron,” “Les Folatiêres” “
Puligny-Montrachet” three times fast. Try saying it one time slow.
The aerobic work out given to your tongue when pronouncing old world wines can
be a shaming, embarrassing experience. Modern wineries have made it easier
and have started to introduce high quality wines with interesting names.
Root:
1’s Cabernet Sauvignon tastes great and is easy to say and ordering up a Fat
Bastard Chardonnay never seemed so classy.
Sample the Goods: This is usually the point where
the pressure comes in. After you have made your decision the server should pour
a small sampling into your glass. At this point, having chosen something, allow
yourself a bit of pretension. Lightly swirl the liquid to give it air, which
will open up the aromas. Smell it and then take a sip. If it tastes great pat
yourself on the back. If it tastes off, has a musty smell or a brown tinge,
don’t hesitate to say you think it isn’t right.
It’s Just a Beverage: You know how to drink, you
know how to swallow. You are a gorgeous, cultured specimen who has survived
X-amount of years by feeding yourself. You’re having fun and so is your date.
Don’t stress. If Ms. Epicurean dumps you because you don’t know your Syrah from
a Shiraz, she’s undoubtedly got a ton of other issues as well. Salute and so
long to that!
Back to TravelLady Magazine |
