4 mistakes people make when ordering wine at restaurants, according to a sommelier

"As a sommelier, I love trying new wines at restaurants, but they're not all winners. Many miss out on Italian whites, which are some of the most underappreciated wines in the world. Skip bottles from popular wine regions and order from their neighbors instead. I know it can be overwhelming to be handed an extensive wine list at a restaurant."

"Multiple pages with small print can be an overload of information - anxiety ensues, and you're not sure what to order. But as a sommelier, I've trained to understand all those little details, so you don't have to. Here are the mistakes I see people make when ordering wine, along with what to do instead next time you're dining out."

Restaurant wine lists often overwhelm diners with multiple pages and small print, causing anxiety and indecision. Many diners default to familiar bottles from famous regions and miss high-quality options like underappreciated Italian white wines. Choosing wines from neighboring, lesser-known appellations can yield better value and discovery. Sommeliers possess training to interpret labels, vintages, producers, and style cues, and can translate that knowledge into suitable pairings and recommendations. Asking for guidance reduces selection stress and helps avoid common ordering mistakes. Learning a few trusted regions and requesting sommelier input improves dining wine choices and enhances meals.

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