From finding an affordable bottle of wine you love to figuring out the right way to hold a wine glass, navigating the wine world can be confusing. To help make drinking and order wine a little less intimidating, Victoria James, a sommelier and beverage director at Cote Korean Steakhouse in New York City and author of the book Drink Pink: A Celebration of Rosé answered all of our most pressing wine-related questions. Follow her simple wine tasting tips below and you’ll be able to order and drink wine with confidence. Cheers!
Which corkscrew should I buy?
According to Victoria James, the cheaper the corkscrew, the better! “The corkscrew that you get at your liquor store that’s $10 works just fine,” she assures us.
What’s the best way to order wine?
When you get the long (read: overwhelming) wine list at a restaurant, turn to the sommelier for guidance. And don’t be afraid to be honest about the amount you’re looking to spend. If you’re uncomfortable talking about price points, James recommends pointing to the kind of wine you’d like on the wine list and saying, “I want a champagne like this,” and then point to the price range you’re looking for and say “around here.” You’re matching up the style of wine you like with the price you’re willing to spend. “And every sommelier will understand,” James promises.
How do I hold the wine glass?
James recommends holding the wine glass by the stem, rather than cupping your hand around the bowl of the glass.
The purpose of the wine stem is to prevent the body heat from your hand from heating up the wine, which can change the taste and aromatics. “It’s why the wine stem exists. It’s for a reason; it’s not just to look fancy,” James explains.