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