Ordering wine in restaurants

[shaniac]

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This is absurd. Tasting wine is to check if the wine is corked, not whether you made a good choice.

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While this is completely true, it's also worth pointing out that if you order a bottle that isn't spoiled but turns out to be not to your liking--too sweet, too dry, whatever--any halfway decent restaurant will allow you to change your selection.

[sfer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This is absurd. Tasting wine is to check if the wine is corked, not whether you made a good choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

While this is completely true, it's also worth pointing out that if you order a bottle that isn't spoiled but turns out to be not to your liking--too sweet, too dry, whatever--any halfway decent restaurant will allow you to change your selection.

[/ QUOTE ]

This reminds me of the apocryphal story of the man who returned used tires to Nordstrom and they accepted the return, despite the fact that they never sold tires. It might be true (and for most restaurants it is true) but that doesn't make the practice right.

[tonypaladino]

I hate that story about Nordstrom. It's printed in every [censored] managment textbook in existance.

Edit: Also, it's made up and is also claimed by Home Depot

[TheMetetron]

[ QUOTE ]
I hate that story about Nordstrom. It's printed in every [censored] managment textbook in existance.

Edit: Also, it's made up and is also claimed by Home Depot



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Whether or not it is true (I highly doubt it is), Nordstrom should be the model for managemtnt textbooks. From working there, I remember how customer oriented they were. They would literally accept returns for anything that could remotely have possibly been sold in the store, without a receipt and without question... even going so far as to give a cash refund and not store credit here. Made for a lot of abuse, however.

Edit: Sorry for the derail.

[tonypaladino]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I hate that story about Nordstrom. It's printed in every [censored] managment textbook in existance.

Edit: Also, it's made up and is also claimed by Home Depot



[/ QUOTE ]

Whether or not it is true (I highly doubt it is), Nordstrom should be the model for managemtnt textbooks. From working there, I remember how customer oriented they were. They would literally accept returns for anything that could remotely have possibly been sold in the store, without a receipt and without question... even going so far as to give a cash refund and not store credit here. Made for a lot of abuse, however.

Edit: Sorry for the derail.

[/ QUOTE ]

One of the more plausible versions states that the particular Nordstroms where this happened was just opened in a location where the previous occupant was a dept store that sold tires. That I might beleive, but the only evidence is random anicdotes.

I like the return policy where I work. Strict-ass adherance to the written policy and a cutomer tracking databse that would make the NSA jealous.

(Also sorry for the hijack)

Many wine shops have tasting parties that are resonably priced($20-50) where you will get to try a sh*tload of different wines. They cater to everyone from novice to experienced. The big thing is to keep tasting. I also recommend the book The Wine Avenger.

[J.A.Sucker]

Going to tastings is excellent advice.

[J.A.Sucker]

The Daver,

I disagree, but you should be up front about it. Usually, you get a wine that you don't like when you are trying something new. Usually, you talk this out with the waitperson, and they know what you are doing. This is SOP, though I usually don't find something that totally sucks. On the second bottle, though, you are compelled to drink it unless it's corked.

[sfer]

[ QUOTE ]
The Daver,

I disagree, but you should be up front about it. Usually, you get a wine that you don't like when yodu are trying something new. Usually, you talk this out with the waitperson, and they know what you are doing. This is SOP, though I usually don't find something that totally sucks. On the second bottle, though, you are compelled to drink it unless it's corked.

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The Sucker, I think you're referring to a fairly unique case where the buyer is knowledgeable and the waitstaff/sommelier should also be knowledgeable and the decision leads to something not at all like what was discussed. For this, I have no problem. But for a case that is much more likely for the OP or others here--that is, the buyer says, "Blech! That doesn't taste like what I want!" for unusual, more out of the way wines like a good Chinon or Sancerre or Cotie Rotie--the scenario is much more likely to create expectations of returnability in a situation originally designed to ensure only that the wine isn't corked.