The best way to learn about wine is to drink it. Unfortunately, most regular bars only stock a few wines which are selected for mass appeal, rather than quality. If you want to go out to drink good wine, you need to find a good wine bar!

How do you tell a good wine bar from one that is only so-so? Check out my list below:

1. Knowledgeable Staff:

A wine bar’s most valuable asset is its knowledgeable and competent staff. If you ask a question about wine, they should be able to answer it, or find another staff member who can. If the waitstaff seems to have been hired for its looks, rather than wine knowledge, be suspicious. Very suspicious.

Don’t allow snooty staff to intimidate you: You are a customer (or a potential customer) and therefore your questions (no matter how “dumb” they may seem) should be treated with respect. If you ask a question and are treated to eye rolls or a patronizing answer, leave.

2. Good Selection:

A good wine bar may not have the largest selection of wine, but its offerings will be well-selected. The emphasis should be on quality, rather than on what the “hot” brand or grape varietal is that month. The best wine bars offer quality wines in a range of prices, along with a good by-the-glass selection.

Incidentally, don’t rely on the menu for a complete listing of wines by the glass. Occasionally a wine bar might have other bottles open for glass pours: ASK your server if there are any by-the-glass wines available besides what is on the menu.

3. Fine Stemware:

When it comes to wine, the quality of stemware (i.e. wine glasses) is important. Ideally a wine glass should have large bowl (so as to allow proper air exposure) and a thin lip/rim (so as to let the wine flow smoothly into your mouth).

For restaurants and wine bars, good wine glasses present a twofold problem: They are fragile (so they break easily) and they really need to be washed by a human dishwasher, rather than a machine. Because of this, many wine bars are serving good wine in bad glasses that do nothing to enhance the flavor of the wine.

Quality wine glasses are indicative of a owner/manager who actually cares about wine and your enjoyment of it.

4. Opportunities for Sampling/Education:

People aren’t born knowing about wine, and, at least in the United States, many people don’t get much of an education in appreciating it while growing up. A good wine bar owner/manager will provide opportunities for customers (and potential customers) to learn about wine.

Does the wine bar offer half-glasses or “flights” (a sampling of wines)? This is indicative of a wine bar that wants educated customers.

If you are unfamiliar with a wine, and the wine bar has it available by the glass, ask your server if they can pour you a sample before you commit to a whole bottle. They should be willing to do this, if not, find another wine bar.

Finally, does the wine bar sponsor wine tastings? Tastings are a wonderful way to sample lots of wines. A good wine bar will sponsor tastings, and sometimes even classes, throughout the year. Ask to get on their mailing list to be notified of upcoming events.

5. A Good Food Menu:

The goal of a wine bar is the enjoyment of wine. The food offerings should enhance the wine, not detract from it. Cheese is a natural pairing with wine, so pay particular attention to the bar’s cheese selection. If the food at a wine bar is bad, find another wine bar. Bad food does nothing for good wine and can, in fact, decrease your enjoyment of it.

Many wine bars suggest parings between their menu items and their wine. This is often very helpful, but be warned that some places will have several wines that would pair well with a dish, but may “recommend”, on their menu, a bottle that costs significantly more than the others. Ask your server for several recommendations rather than just relying on the menu.

Tags: bar, food, restaurant, stemware, Wine, wine bar, wine glasses, wine pairings, wine tastings

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