Brits too scared to order wine

According to a new report published this week, the huge majority of Britons are filled with fear when it comes to ordering wine in a restaurant.

The French Wines with Style Report claims that just 12.4% of us are confident of selecting the right wine when eating out. Perhaps equally surprising is that,in spite of this apparent lack of wine confidence, only 20.8% of Brits would ask the advice of the waiter.

Gerard Basset OBE, the reigning world champion sommelier, acknowledges that it can be hard to choose a wine, but encourages people to take advantage of any help that is available. He said: “People can often be overwhelmed when looking at a wine list. It is important not to feel intimidated. When you are eating out, the experience is all about your enjoyment.

“If you know about wines, then great; but if you are confused or uncertain about which wine to choose, then take advantage of the help to hand. The waiter or sommelier is there to help.”

The report also indicated that one of the most common ways of dealing with the wine ordering is to pass the buck, with 25.8% preferring to have a friend choose the wine.

When it comes down to what is actually ordered, French wine is the most popular choice in restaurants, being chosen by 24.1% of Britons. Australia is the next most popular choice at 18.6% and Italy was the third most popular, being chosen in restaurants 13.4% of the time.

Basset also offered some handy tips to remember when choosing wine:

• – Use the tasting notes on the wine list to guide you.
• – Generally delicate, light foods are better with light or medium wines; heavy dishes with heavier wines; and aromatic wines with spicy foods.
• – Wait until everyone has ordered their meals before choosing the wine – that will help you decide on a match or matches.
• – Set a price bracket for the wine you select and stick to it – there will be fewer choices to make.
• – Don’t forget to check out the wines by the glass offer – often people choose very different dishes around a table – it might be better to order individual wines for each dish.