How to Order
Wine in Italy

What Kind of Wine Should You Order?

Most beginners start with white wine. Whites are generally less intense and are served cool, which is more palatable for many. A great place to start is with a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. You really can't go wrong ordering a Chardonnay as it happens to be the most popular white wine, potentially THE most popular wine, in the world.

When you’re ready to try a red, make sure to discuss with your waiter or sommelier what you enjoy about wine in general. Do you prefer it to be smooth, or do you like a little coarseness to the flavor? A great introduction to red wines is a Merlot, though the Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular red in the world.

Pairing Italian Wine

While it still exists, proper pairing is kind of a thing of the past. No one turns up their nose at a pairing that may have once been seen as cliché. If you want to try and pair your foods with your wine, there is a simple rule of thumb. Match your wine color to your meat color. Red meat, red wine. White meat, white wine. If you want to go a bit more in-depth, try matching flavor palates to the wine. Bolder, savory flavors call for reds, while delicate or sweeter flavors typically pair well with white.

Ordering Wine in Italian

“Prendo un bicchiere di (wine name), per favore.” I’ll take a glass of (wine name), please.

“Solo un bicchiere.” Just one glass.

If you want to order another glass, ask the server for “un altro” – another.

“Prendiamo una bottiglia di rossa della casa, per favore.” We’ll take a bottle of house red wine, please.

Or if you would like to order a specific bottle, say, “Prendiamo una bottiglia di (wine name), per favore.”

Once the server brings the bottle over, he or she will ask, “Chi assaggia?” Who is tasting?

The taster will look at the wine, smell the wine, and take a sip. If the wine is good, the taster will say, “Buono!”

If the wine tastes off or “corked” – indicated by a musty, wet cardboard smell or dull taste that lacks fruit – say, “Non mi piace.” I don’t like it. And the server will help you choose a different bottle.