Uncorked Wisdom: A Guide to Restaurant Wine Etiquette
Whether you’re on a first date, a client dinner, or just treating yourself to a night out, knowing a few basic rules of wine etiquette can make you feel confident—and avoid any awkward swirls or spills. Wine doesn’t have to be intimidating, and the restaurant setting should be more joy than judgment. Here’s your cheat sheet for handling wine like a pro, no sommelier certification required.
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Wine lists can be overwhelming—long, filled with unfamiliar regions, and sometimes cryptic. A good sommelier or server wants to help you find something you'll enjoy within your budget. Be honest about what you like (crisp and light, rich and bold, fruity, dry, etc.), and let them guide you. Don’t feel pressured to choose the most expensive bottle to impress—knowing what you enjoy is far more stylish.
2. Budget Gracefully
If you’re not sure how to discuss your price range without sounding crass, try something like, “I’m looking for a great bottle around $60,” or point to a wine in that range and say, “I’m thinking something like this—what do you recommend?” Most wine professionals will take the hint and stay in your ballpark.
3. Tasting the Wine is Not a Test
When the bottle is presented and a small taste is poured for you, the point isn’t to see if you like it—it’s to make sure it’s not corked or flawed. Take a quick sniff and sip. If it smells like wet cardboard or tastes musty, say so. Otherwise, give a polite nod or “That’s great,” and the server will proceed to pour for the table.
4. To Clink or Not to Clink
Clinking glasses can be fun, but in formal settings or with delicate stemware, it’s okay to skip it. Simply raise your glass, make eye contact, and offer a warm “cheers.” If you do clink, aim for the bowl of the glass—not the rim—to avoid breakage.
5. Don’t Touch the Bottle (Unless You Ordered It)
If the sommelier or server is handling the wine service, let them take care of pouring and presenting. It may feel natural to reach for the bottle to top up your glass, but in more formal restaurants, this can be considered bad form—especially if they’re monitoring the temperature or pacing.
6. Pace Yourself (and Your Pour)
If you're sharing a bottle with the table, try not to hog it. The host (or person who ordered the wine) is typically served last. In casual settings where everyone’s pouring, go easy and make sure everyone gets a fair share.
7. Glassware Know-How
Most restaurants provide appropriate stemware, but if you’re ever given a water goblet or overly small glass, it’s okay to (politely) ask, “Do you happen to have a larger glass for red/white wine?” You’re not being fussy—you’re helping the wine show at its best.
8. Mind the Corkage Fee
Bringing your own bottle to a restaurant? That’s totally acceptable—if it’s done with care and courtesy. Always call ahead to ask if the restaurant allows outside wine and what the corkage fee is (typically $20–$50, but it can vary widely).
A few tips:
- Don’t bring a bottle that’s already on the restaurant’s list. When in doubt, call your neighborhood wine store for recommendations on the perfect bottle for the occasion. Trusted wine merchants like Champion Wine Cellars have thousands of ready to drink bottles that restaurants don’t have access to.
- Bring something special—older vintages, small producers, or hard-to-find wines are great choices.
- Offer a taste to the sommelier or server if they seem interested. It’s a gracious gesture and often appreciated.
- Tip as if you bought a bottle from the list—they’re still providing the service.
9. Tip the Sommelier
In many restaurants, the sommelier shares in the general tip pool, but if they gave particularly stellar service or went out of their way to make your wine experience exceptional, feel free to leave a little extra or even a personal thank-you note via the host or your server.
10. Know When to Let Go
Sometimes, despite best intentions, the wine you ordered just doesn’t thrill you. Unless it’s truly flawed, this isn’t grounds to return the bottle. Think of it as part of the adventure. Next time, you’ll have more info to steer your choice. (Or stick with the by-the-glass list if you want to explore more without committing.)
11. Enjoy Yourself
Wine is about pleasure, not performance. The most important etiquette rule? Relax, enjoy the company, savor the meal, and drink what makes you happy.
Final Pour
Restaurant wine etiquette is less about rules and more about respect—for the wine, the people you’re with, and the experience itself. Be curious, courteous, and open to trying something new. And if all else fails, smile, say “cheers,” and take another sip.