How to Read a Wine List

I believe that knowing how to read a wine list is an essential skill up there with knowing how to boil an egg. On a wine list, wine is arranged from lightest to heaviest, starting with the bubbly wines, white wines and then the red wines. Then within every wine sub-category they’re arranged from lightest to heaviest. For example, if you want a light red wine go for a Pinot Noir. However, if you want something that is going to have a lot of tannin go for a Zinfandel.

A white wine list will read: 

Pinot Grigio 

Rosé

Riesling 

Sauvignon Blanc 

Chardonnay 

A red wine list will read: 

Pinot Noir 

Merlot 

Cabernet-Sauvignon 

Zinfandel