| Imagine this-you are seated at an upscale | | | | By Geography. This wine list is organized by |
| restaurant with one of your best clients and then | | | | countries of origin and often has the more specific |
| handed a wine list thicker than a college textbook. | | | | subcategories, like the regions or state, which is |
| You want to pick out the "perfect" wine to | | | | the traditional type of wine list. If you love French |
| impress your client but everything looks like it is | | | | wines, this type of list makes it easy. Flip to the |
| written in a foreign language. After only a few | | | | French section and then look at what regions or |
| minutes the server asks if you have made your | | | | wines are offered. The grape varietal used may |
| selection, so you decide to order the most familiar | | | | (or may not) be listed next to the wines in this |
| thing on the menu. You are not sure your | | | | type of list. This is not an issue for most wine |
| selection will coordinate with your meals, and it | | | | from the US since the wine is usually labeled by |
| costs more than your boss will tolerate for a | | | | grape varietal, e.g., Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. The |
| client dinner. By the time the bottle arrives, you | | | | European wine industry, however, tends to focus |
| have broken out in a cold sweat and are ready to | | | | on the region where it is produced and assumes |
| take a big gulp! The good news is that | | | | we know what grapes are grown. Even though |
| understanding the three main ways wine lists are | | | | the principal grapes of Burgundy are Chardonnay |
| organized is the first step to preventing this from | | | | and Pinot Noir, they won't appear on the bottle of |
| ever happening to you. | | | | Burgundy's finest wines. |
| There are three primary types of wine lists - | | | | Progressive. This type of list is a relatively new |
| those organized by the grape varietal, by | | | | approach that is organized by the flavor and body |
| geography (or where it is made), and by flavor | | | | profile. A typical category might be |
| profile (progressive). Keep in mind that some lists | | | | dry-light-bodied whites, and the wines in that |
| blend several of these methods. Let's explore | | | | category may be ordered from mildest to fullest. |
| each of these three types of wine lists: | | | | This allows diners to look for the type of wine |
| By Grape Varietal. Organized by the main grape | | | | they enjoy and then order options in the same |
| variety used to produce the wine, this type of list | | | | flavor and body category. Your favorite grapes |
| definitely appeals to our varietally conscious | | | | or countries may be located in many different |
| culture. It may be further organized by country or | | | | categories. Once you get the hang of these lists, |
| state. Thinking of the grape varietal first and the | | | | they are tons of fun. They don't require any |
| origin second is an American trend. Many | | | | special knowledge of geography or grapes-just a |
| European countries are now trying to focus more | | | | knowledge of what you like. |
| on the grape varieties despite regulations that ban | | | | Hopefully you a have a better understanding of |
| the top rated wine from listing them on the label. | | | | the three most common ways restaurants will |
| Sections for the popular varietals, e.g., | | | | organize their lists. The geographic and grape |
| Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet | | | | varietal lists will account for 80% of the lists |
| Sauvignon, are usually listed, as well as an "other | | | | encountered, but the progressive list may be a |
| varietals" category for white and red. These | | | | growing trend for the future. Hopefully the next |
| lesser known varietal sections can often be more | | | | time you take an important client (or that special |
| interesting, and is where many bargains can be | | | | someone) to dinner they will be impressed with |
| found! | | | | your ability to find the right wine in no time! |