Re: Wine and dinner
There is so much bad advice (and good) in here that someone should try to sort it out. I volunteer.
First off, congrats on turning 21 and wanting to learn something about the subject. You are ahead of 90% of the other 21 year-olds. Let's stick with ordering wine in a restaurant, anything else is too complex to start.
1. Most people don't know crap about wine. I know enough to know I don't know much, and I know quite a bit. Know this, name and price tell you little. If you've seen an advertisement, odds are it's bad. (Yellow Tail is a exception, but at $5 a bottle, you're getting value, not great wine.)
2. If you are in a chain restaurant, odds are the wine is not worth ordering. Higher end, it might be worth a shot, say something like Carrabba's (even they're questionable), Ruth's Chris, better local chains. Better to stick with the best draft microbrew. Less chance of getting something undrinkable. If you want wine with dinner, find a place that works on combining the two, generally a local place. They don't have to be too expensive, just aware of what's required. Ask around or check reviews.
3. Never order wine before ordering food. They need to match, no one can order wine properly without knowing what they're going to eat. (The exception will be if you know you're ordering steak. If you order steak in a restaurant regularly, you are too boring for words. NYC residents are exempt, since they aren't allowed to grill at home.)
4. If you're in a place you dare order wine, talk to the waiter. If he/she has no idea, don't order the stuff. If they do know what they're talking about, they should know what will match what you're ordering. Good chefs will have matched the wine with that night's selection and it should be available by the glass. That's right, by the glass. It's rare that you and your date will order something that will be best complimented by the same wine. Order a glass that will go best with each entree. And use the expertise of the waitstaff if they have any.
5. If a wine flight, generally 3 similar half glasses, that matches your entree is available, take it. Great way to learn about how different wines interact with the same food.
6. Allow red wine to breathe a little before tasting. Taste any wine to make sure you'll like it. Send it back if it's something you can't stand. On glass orders, this is really easy and they're generally accomdating. Better yet, ask for a taste before having them pour a glass. You'll have to guess a bit at how the red will turn out, but with experience you'll know what to look for.
That's it. Nothing about this goes with that, this is a good wine or this isn't. (Other than white zin or white merlot, which is almost NEVER good.) Be prepared to try different things, some which you'll like, some you won't. Just try it. Make mental notes of what works and what doesn't, what you like. Also, look for a class at a local wine store and learn more. After 20 or 30 years, you'll be amazed at how little you still know, but will have learned and enjoyed a lot.
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