HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WINE AT A RESTAURANT
One of the best parts of eating out is finding a wine that works beautifully with your meal. But when a wine menu has a long list of options, choosing the right bottle or glass can feel more complicated than it needs to be.
Whether a trip to your favourite steakhouse is a treat or part of your usual dinner plans, ordering wine should add to the experience, not make you second-guess yourself. The good news is that you don’t need to know everything about wine to make a good choice.
With a bit of basic knowledge, a clear idea of what you enjoy and a little help from your waitron, you can find a wine pairing that suits your meal and your taste. Here are a few tips to point you in the right direction.
GET FAMILIAR WITH WINE TERMS
The long list of wine terms could fill a dictionary, but there are a few useful ones to know before paging through a wine menu.
Tannins: Natural compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems. They can make a wine feel dry in your mouth.
Varietal: The type of grape used to make a wine, such as Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc.
Terroir: How the area where the grapes are grown, including the soil and climate, can affect the taste of the wine.
Oaky: A word used when a wine has flavours or aromas from being aged in oak, often adding notes like vanilla, spice or toast.
Bouquet: The aroma of the wine.
Dry: A dry wine has little to no sweetness.
Light-bodied: A lighter wine that usually feels softer and easier to drink.
Full-bodied: A richer, heavier wine with more depth. These wines often work well with steak.
Finish: The taste that stays in your mouth after you’ve had a sip.
Knowing a few of these terms can make the wine list feel much less intimidating.
KNOW THE BEST BEGINNER WINES
If you’re not too familiar with wine, don’t put pressure on yourself to know every grape, region or style. Start with what you usually enjoy.
If you prefer something crisp and fresh, a Sauvignon Blanc is a good place to begin. If you enjoy something softer and fruitier, a Rosé can be an easy choice. If you want to try a red wine with your meal, Merlot is often a smooth, approachable option.
From there, think about what you’re eating. Bolder red wines generally go well with heavier meals, especially steak. Lighter wines can work well with seafood, chicken or starters. If there’s a steak on your plate, a rich red or a steak-friendly blend from the Turn ’n Tender wine list is usually a good choice.
The aim is not to get the pairing perfect. It’s to choose something you’ll enjoy drinking with your meal.
ORDER BY THE GLASS
Deciding whether to order a glass or a bottle can be tricky. Ordering by the glass gives you more room to try something different, especially if everyone at the table has their own preference.
It also lets you change your wine as the meal changes. You may want a lighter glass with your starter and a fuller red with your main course. Or, if you’re not sure what you like yet, ordering by the glass is a simple way to explore without committing to a full bottle.
At a steakhouse, this can be especially useful. You can ask for a wine pairing recommendation based on your cut of steak, sauce or side, then choose the glass that sounds right for you.
KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE YOUR PREFERENCES
Your waitron is there to help, so don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation. You also don’t need to use complicated wine language to explain what you want.
Simple descriptions work best. You can ask for a white wine that is crisp and refreshing, a red wine that is smooth and easy to drink, or something bold enough to go with steak. You can also mention wines you’ve enjoyed before, or wines you know you don’t like.
The more you can share about your preference, your meal and your budget, the easier it is for the team to guide you towards the right choice.
Choosing wine at a restaurant isn’t always simple, but it also doesn’t need to feel intimidating. Whether you’re new to wine or already know what you like, a few basic wine pairing tips can help you enjoy the experience more.
The next time you’re searching for restaurants near me and planning a steakhouse meal, visit your local Turn ’n Tender, explore our wine menu and ask our team to help you choose the right glass for your plate.
Find your nearest Turn ’n Tender and reserve a table for your next meal.
