How To: Order wine during a business dinner

HOW TO…

Order wine when hosting a business dinner

ISTOCK THE WINE WORLD is awash in obnoxious, intimidating terms, creating unnecessary stress for business people charged with hosting dinners.

But a few simple hacks, says

sommelier and restaurant owner

Scott Higgins, can take the fear out of selecting wines for the table.

“It’s a great idea to take a glance at the wine list beforehand if it’s online or call ahead and talk to the wine manager or the in-house sommelier,” says Higgins, owner of the downtown wine bar Blend. “A little preplanning can make you feel a lot more relaxed.”

Midsized gatherings of about six to eight guests are typical for business dinners, but that size can make them tricky, Higgins says. They’re large enough to merit ordering multiple bottles for one course, but small enough to encourage opting for something beyond well-worn standards served at larger events. “With smaller groups you can push the boundaries a little and order some really interesting things,” Higgins says.

SOME ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Order two different wines. Depending on the size and preferences of the group, order two different wines to put everyone at ease. A red and a white, work well, especially with so much seafood served in Baton Rouge. If red is everyone’s preference, opt for two different flavor profiles, Higgins advises. Unless you’re planning a curated set of wines for each course, this is a great way to show hospitality.

Know your budget. Bottles are absolutely a better bargain than ordering by the glass, but it’s still a good idea to have a budget in mind before you order. “It’s not always necessary to break the bank,” Higgins says. “Some preplanning will allow you to tell the wine manager what range you want to be in.”

Look beyond Caymus. Sure, the poster child of big Napa cabs signals confidence and success, but it’s also overdone, Higgins says. If you like the profile of this well-known red, ask the wine manager or sommelier for an equivalent wine that will excite your guests and show your worldliness. “There’s a lot out there with a similar style.”

Keep learning. In your leisure time, work on your wine awareness by taking one month at a time to taste a single style or region, Higgins says. “Let’s say I want to learn more about pinot noir, and there’s a lot made in the world. I might buy two French Burgundies, and pinots from Chile, California and Oregon’s Willamette Valley to taste the differences, spending a few minutes really paying attention to what they’re like.”

—Maggie Heyn Richardson

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