Why Learn To Serve Wine Properly?
If you have ever bought a bottle of wine in a nice restaurant, you may have noticed that the server does not just pop the cork and pour you a glass, but instead goes through a definite process of chance the bottle, letting the buyer test the wine, then pouring in a definite manner.
Bottle Wine Cooler
This presentation may seem unnecessary, but like many formalities it is based on tradition, and serving wine in the permissible manner shows that the cafeteria knows what they are doing. Most restaurants want to give their guests the impression that they are very prominent customers, especially when they are going to pay top dollar for a bottle of wine!
Wine Serving Steps For restaurant Servers
This formal wine presentation adds to the atmosphere of exclusivity of the restaurant, and makes the guest feel important. When you are serving the wine, it shows that you are expert and know your company well.
7 Steps to Serving Wine in a Restaurant
Step 1: Set up wine glasses ahead of time. Make sure there is a glass for everyone who will be drinking wine. Make sure you have the permissible glasses for the wine (red, white, or sparkling wines need separate glasses). If you are not sure about the glass, go to my website and see my wine glass types page for a guide on which glass should be used with which wine (this is important!).
Step 2: Bring the wine up to the table. Present it to the someone who ordered it with the label facing them. Announce the wine to them. For example, say "the 2003 Chateau Latour Pauillac, sir". This is just so the someone can verify that you brought them the exact bottle.
Step 3: Hold the bottle in one hand and use your wine key to remove the cork. Try to take out the cork without it development a pop. If it is champagne or sparkling wine, absolutely do not pop the cork and shoot it over the room (even though it is fun)!
Step 4: Present the cork to the someone who ordered the wine. Some habitancy want to witness it or sniff it to make sure it has not dried out.
Step 5: Pour a small number into the glass of the head of the table (the someone that ordered the bottle). Let him or her test it out to make sure it is Ok.
Step 6: Fill up the glasses of the other guests, ladies first, in a clockwise order. Fill the host's glass last. Only fill the glasses about half full.
Step 7: If there is any wine left in the bottle, leave it on the edge of the table (if it is a red wine) or in a chiller (if it is a white wine). The guests will then refill their own glasses as necessary.
These are the basic 7 steps for serving wine for a server or sommelier. There are other things to consider, along with the serving climatic characteristic of the wine and whether or not you should aerate it or use a decanter. For more facts on these subjects, go to my website.
Wine Serving Steps For restaurant Servers