Dustin Wilson, Master Sommelier and Co-Owner of Verve Wine in New York City, guides us through the process of providing wine service for sparkling wine for guests.
White Wine Service:
- Repeat the order to the host (person who is ordering).
- Set the table with the proper stemware as well as a cork tray for when you present the cork.
- Bring the wine to the table at the proper temperature (in this case, 45-55F depending on the type of wine).
- Always have a serviette in hand, properly folded. Use the serviette to frame the bottle when presenting the wine to the guest.
- Present the wine to the guest and confirm the producer name, vintage, grape or cuvée name.
- Use the knife on your wine key to cut the foil around the second (lower) lip on the neck of the bottle, remove the foil and place it in your pocket.
- Wipe the top of the bottle to ensure the top of the bottle is clean before removing the cork.
- Use your wine key to remove the cork from the bottle.
- Wipe the mouth of the bottle to ensure it is clean.
- Remove the cork from the worm of the wine key and present it to the guest on the cork tray you have provided.
- Pour a taste of the wine for the host with the label facing him/her and allow him/her to smell and taste the wine. Wait for his/her approval before continuing to pour.
- Once approved, move clockwise around the table, pouring for guests of honor first (birthday person, etc.), otherwise pour for the ladies first, gentlemen second, and the host is last. The label should be facing the guest each time the wine is poured.
- After finishing the pours, offer to remove the cork from the table and ask if the guest would prefer to keep the wine on ice or on the table and respond appropriately. If the guest would prefer the wine on the table, an underliner must be used for the bottle.
- Ask politely if there is anything else that you can help the guests with at that time.
- Check back in periodically to top up and make sure they are enjoying the bottle.
About Dustin Wilson, MS:
With a work history that spans top restaurants across the US – Frasca Food & Wine (Boulder, CO); The Little Nell (Aspen) and RN74 (San Francisco), Dustin is best known for his position as Wine Director of the 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, Eleven Madison Park. His expertise is also showcased in the critically acclaimed wine documentary, SOMM, and the film’s sequel, SOMM: Into the Bottle. In 2017, he opened Verve Wine in the downtown Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca.
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