Mastering the Art of Navigating a Wine List

The Challenge of Choosing Wine

Imagine this scenario: you're at a high-end restaurant with an important client, and you're handed a wine list that seems as thick as a textbook. You want to impress your client with the perfect wine choice, but the list looks like it's written in a foreign language. After a few minutes, the server asks if you've made your selection, and you hastily choose the most familiar option. You're unsure if it pairs well with your meals, and it costs more than your boss would approve for a client dinner. By the time the bottle arrives, you're sweating and ready for a big gulp. The good news is that understanding the three main ways wine lists are organized can prevent this from happening to you.

Types of Wine Lists

Wine lists are typically organized in one of three ways: by grape varietal, by geography, or by flavor profile (progressive). Some lists may blend these methods. Let's explore each type in detail:

By Grape Varietal

This type of list is organized by the main grape variety used to produce the wine. It appeals to those who are familiar with specific grape varieties. The list may be further organized by country or state. In the U.S., thinking of the grape varietal first and the origin second is common. European countries are also focusing more on grape varieties despite regulations that sometimes prevent top-rated wines from listing them on the label. Popular varietals like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon are usually listed, along with an "other varietals" category for both white and red wines. These lesser-known varietal sections can often be more interesting and offer great bargains.

By Geography

This traditional type of wine list is organized by countries of origin and often includes more specific subcategories like regions or states. If you love French wines, this type of list makes it easy to find what you're looking for. Simply flip to the French section and explore the regions or wines offered. The grape varietal used may or may not be listed next to the wines. In the U.S., wines are usually labeled by grape varietal, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. However, the European wine industry tends to focus on the region where the wine is produced, assuming that consumers know what grapes are grown there. For example, the principal grapes of Burgundy are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but these won't appear on the bottle of Burgundy's finest wines.

Progressive

This relatively new approach organizes wines by flavor and body profile. A typical category might be dry-light-bodied whites, with wines ordered from mildest to fullest. This allows diners to look for the type of wine they enjoy and then choose options within the same flavor and body category. Your favorite grapes or countries may be located in various categories. Once you get the hang of these lists, they can be a lot of fun. They don't require any special knowledge of geography or grapes—just an understanding of what you like.

Interesting Wine Statistics

• Global Wine Production: In 2020, global wine production was estimated at 260 million hectoliters, with Italy, France, and Spain being the top producers (source: OIV).
• Wine Consumption: The United States is the largest wine-consuming country, with Americans drinking approximately 33 million hectoliters of wine in 2020 (source: Statista).
• Wine Varietals: There are over 10,000 different wine grape varieties in the world, but only a few dozen are widely known and consumed (source: Wine Folly).

Conclusion

Understanding the three most common ways restaurants organize their wine lists—by grape varietal, geography, and flavor profile—can make selecting the perfect wine less daunting. Geographic and grape varietal lists account for about 80% of the lists you'll encounter, but progressive lists are becoming more popular. With this knowledge, you'll be able to impress your important client or special someone with your ability to find the right wine in no time.

©2007 Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach®