What Do You Look for in a Wine List?

For me, it is important that the wine list be as interesting and mouth-watering as the menu. (Gurvinder Bhatia)

I look for lists that contain great wines at great prices. Such wines are not necessarily well-known — they may be from unknown places, even unfamiliar grapes — yet they are great to drink and offer good value to consumers. (Steve Thurlow)

Restaurants that serve everything from Chinese to Italian food are generally adequate at best. Wine lists are the same. I love lists that specialize — that go into depth in certain regions, especially if these wines match well with the food. I don’t mind paying the price, just make it worth my while. There is nothing worse than seeing a wine list that has common wines with extraordinary mark-ups. Beyond that, everything is about staff knowledge. (Bill Zacharkiw)

My first impression with a restaurant’s wine list is with the by-the-glass options. I like seeing something other than the standard, boring pours. Beyond that, don’t just split the wines by colour and then list them from cheapest to most expensive, use taste descriptors or other qualifiers that diners can understand as landmarks when choosing both their wine and their meal. (Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson)

Wine lists should have a sense of place. They should include local wine, we well as a global, often eclectic, selection. Best of all, the prices should not be nose-bleed steep, and that is what I most appreciate in a wine list anywhere. (David Lawrason)

When I dine out, I look for places that care about wine. Great wine programs are invariably created by passionate and knowledgeable people. It’s not just about sheer volume. It’s a carefully selected list that considers restaurant location, cuisine, and any other over-arching themes. I look for suitable glassware, correct serving temperature, knowledgeable wait staff, professional service and, most importantly, reasonable mark-ups. (John Szabo)

In these trim times, deliciously simple food combined with a diverting list of drinks is what I look for when I’m out spending hard-earned dough. Reasonable mark-ups, off-the-beaten path selections, freshness of by-the-glass wines and a knowledgeable staff make the difference to me. Oh, and nice glassware too. (DJ Kearney)

What I look for in a wine list is flexibility — there should be something for just about anyone at most price points. No matter your wine background or how deep your pockets, you should be able to find something that works for you and still tastes great. (Tom Firth)