How to order and evaluate wine

It may take years to become a wine expert, but it only takes a few minutes to learn the basics. You'll never be intimidated by a wine list again. Learn all about wine in this how to video.

You Will Need
* Some general guidelines
* A sommelier

Step 1: Do your homework
Many restaurants feature their wine lists online. See what’s on offer in advance of your dinner, and research any bottles that pique your interest.

Step 2: Learn how to pair with food
At the restaurant, decide what you’re eating before choosing the wine. Pair lighter foods like fish, as well as spicy foods, with lighter, usually white wines. Match heavier fare like meat and cheese dishes with full-bodied wines, which often means red.

Step 3: Know your palate
Consider the grapes, regions, and styles you tend to enjoy, and share your preferences with the sommelier, who can make suggestions based on that information. Noting the wines you’re interested in also signals your price range to the sommelier.

Step 4: Take age into account
Take the year of the wine into account. In general, younger wines are fruitier and pair well with more complex dishes, whereas older wines are subtler and go better with straightforward food.

Step 5: Inspect it
When the wine arrives, inspect the label to make sure it’s what you ordered. Then, take a look at the cork – there’s no need to sniff it. If it’s dry and crumbly, the bottle may not have been stored properly.

Step 6: Sniff it
If the wine smells moldy instead of floral, fruity, or spicy, it could be “corked,” or contaminated by a fungus that affects flavor.

Step 7: Taste it
Taste for acid, sugar, and the level of alcohol. If any of these flavors stands out dramatically, the wine is not well balanced.

Step 8: Communicate

Convey approval to the sommelier or server with a simple nod. If you think the wine is corked, or it tastes like vinegar, send it back.