One of the best parts of traveling is trying out the local cuisine. And not just the food – the beverages, too. Beer in Munich, coffee in Peru, wine in Everywhere. Just kidding. But, it’s so much fun trying the local brews, isn’t it? For some reason, wine seems to be a more challenging scenario than beer, coffee, or even the local spirits – tequila anyone?
Are you intimidated when trying to pick a wine in another country? Here are a few tips to help make it easy and enjoyable. Saluti!
- Pick a color. And know how to say the color in the local language. Vino tinto, vin rouge, vino rosso? Knowing the color is a good starting point and makes it easier for everyone.
- Set a Price. Determine how much you want to spend. Are you dining in a Michelin star restaurant and want to splurge or a casual bistro where you might consider the house wine? Most of us don’t have unlimited funds, so don’t be shy about setting a limit.
- Request assistance. Probably the most important tip. Tell the waiter, maître ‘d, or whoever is serving you of your preference and ask for a recommendation. “We’re having thus and such for dinner. We’d like a red wine under $50. What would you recommend?” They’ll not only be happy you asked, but will give you some really good suggestions.
- Stay regional. Encourage your server to steer you towards the local wines, when practical. If you’re in Tuscany, maybe a Sangiovese or Trebbiano. A Bordeaux blend or Sauternais while in Southern France, perhaps?
- When in doubt, order the bubbly. If you can’t decide or don’t have someone to help you, you’ll not go wrong when ordering sparkling wine. And go for non-vintage. Unlike still wine, sparklers benefit when different years are blended together. Paying a premium for vintage sparkling wine isn’t a great spend for vacation dollars unless you know what you’re ordering.
- Be unconventional. Unlike North Americans, Europeans tend to drink wine only with food. We treat wine both as a cocktail and a food accompaniment. It’s your vacation. Do what you want!
Sante!