Ade&Abet

noraleah:

Look for wines that you already know and love, not to order them necessarily, but to get a reading on the sommelier’s palate. If you see a number of your favorite bottles, that’s the green light to take a chance on something you don’t know. Wine publicist and former retailer Dan Fredman says that if he can tell some thought has gone into a list, he’s more likely to order an unfamiliar bottle. “Quite often something unknown is going to be a better value than a familiar label. The restaurant won’t mark it up as much.”

And then there’s my tip: ask for something weird. If nothing else, it starts a conversation.

(It helps to actually like weird wine, of course.)

Gonna echo Nora on this one. Some of the best wines - and now our favorite go-tos - have come by asking the sommelier or bartender for “something crazy” or “something to blow your mind”. Often they want to impress you, and sometimes there’s something crazy already open that they can treat you to. Also, you’ll find that if you love it and want to try it at home, it’s MUCH CHEAPER on the open market than in the restaurant, so win-win!

Addition: also, half-bottles are often a good way to sample various/diverse wines that may otherwise be out of your price range.