Choosing wine in a restaurant can enhance your dining experience, but it can be a bit daunting given the wide or sometimes the lack of variety of options. Here are some tips to make your choice easier.
Understanding the Basics
White Wine is Generally lighter, pairs well with fish, white meats and dishes with creamy sauces.
Red Wine is typically more robust, pairs well with red meat, pasta with rich sauces, and strong-flavored cheeses.
Rosé is often overlooked, although it can be very versatile and often pairs with a variety of dishes from salads to grilled light meats.
Sparkling Wine is ideal for toasting or as an aperitif but some well made examples also pairs well with a variety of foods.
Considering the Occasion
Celebration is an excuse for traditional method sparkling wines like Champagne, Cava and many other good examples.
Casual Dinner is easy, a light white wine like a crisp Grüner Veltliner or a medium-bodied red like Garnacha.
Romantic Dinner calls for more elegance, possible a Pinot Noir or a barrel aged Chardonnay.
Matching the Wine to Your Meal
Light Dishes are better with unoaked whites like Sauvignon Blanc or a Loureiro.
Rich Dishes usually need full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.
Spicy Food: Off-dry wines like Riesling or Alvarinho.
Cheese Plates: Varieties like Port (sweet wine) for blue cheese, or a robust red like Demuerte for aged cheeses.
Asking for Recommendations
Sommelier if available should be your best guide. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations. They can guide you based on your preferences and budget. No one knows the restaurant’s wine list as well as the sommelier himself. Unfortunately this position is rarely found in Malta.
Tasting the Wine
When the wine is presented, the server will pour a small amount for you to taste.
Smell and swirl the glass to release the aromas and take another sniff.
Taste a small sip to ensure it’s to your liking. You’re checking for any faults or any off-flavors, not whether you like the wine in general.
Approve if everything is fine, nod to the server to pour for the table.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
This is one of the most important! Trying new wines can be a great way to discover your preferences. If you’re unsure, mention wines you’ve liked in the past to guide the recommendation.
Wine by the Glass vs. Bottle
By the Glass is the best option if you and your dining companions have different preferences or having totally different styles of food.
By the Bottle is often more economical if everyone at the table is drinking the same wine. Some wines like Pinot Noir pair with more diverse dishes than other more extreme fuller-bodied wines.
Pay Attention to Wine Regions
Wines from certain regions are known for specific characteristics. For example, warmer regions like some parts of Spain usually produce fuller & riper wines, whereas cooler climates like Germany produce crisp refreshing Rieslings.
Trust Your Own Preferences
While pairing guidelines are helpful, personal preference is still key. If you love a particular wine, go for it, even if it’s not the “classic” pairing. Always set a budget range and decide how much you’re willing to spend before choosing. Wine lists in Malta often range from reasonably priced to very ludicrous expensive.