Choosing the correct bottle of wine at a business dinner or lunch has become, for the most part, almost as anxiety-ridden as purchasing the right anniversary gift for your spouse. And this is especially true if you are on limited funds, making spending a bottle of 1982 Petrus out of the list.
However, the list of wines is as getting so huge these days that if you, for example, dropped one on your foot you would hurt your toe. Furthermore, not to mention the ever-changing tastes of the people.
So, before the business dinner or lunch happens, you must do your homework on what bottle of wine to pick. By that, you have the chance to search for wines online and study what works for your budget. For a little help, here are three things that you need to consider when it comes to choosing the right wine for your business dinner.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask
If you have no idea of what wine to choose, ask the sommelier. Do not be afraid to ask for advice and suggestions. The sommelier knows all the kinds of wine in the restaurant or bar and most likely has inscribed the wine list as well.
If you ask for help, the sommelier will help you without mistakes. However, do not say how much you want to spend. Instead, you can use phrases such as “I’d like to get this bottle of wine. What do you say? Would it fit for me?.”
Take Advantage of the Wine List
The wine list is your guide to finding the best bottles in the restaurant. Do not think about the division between white and red wines. However, pay attention or focus more on the wine’s areas or region of origin. Consider getting Margaux wines.
Impress But Don’t Exaggerate
Sure, it is a business dinner, and you would want to make a striking impression on your client or consumer. However, be wary and not focus solely on the price of the wine; otherwise, you might spend a lot for a bottle that is not well-matched with your menu.
Be Yourself
Do not fake or pretend to know and understand all about wines more than you actually know. So, if you are with a wine lover, do not just blab about wines; otherwise, you will make a bad impression.
Recommendations and Research
There are plenty of wine choices available out there, more than ever in the past, which is both bad and good. Although it is great to have a lot of options, choosing a wine bottle and matching them with your food can be difficult. The power or capability to determine always arrives with a sense of responsibility.
To make things easier for you, you need to research to ensure that you are selecting the best bottle of wine. So, before you even glance at and study the wine list, you must make yourself familiar with food pairings based on the menu of choice or restaurant.
You can research online or call the restaurant before the business dinner to see the wine list, with recommendations from the sommelier or manager always being an excellent idea. Without the help or recommendations of the expert, people will, for the most part, lean towards what they already know.
Although you are comfortable or confident about choosing a good bottle, more indistinct wine options will be cherished and loved by your clients, and are much more likely to leave a striking impression.
Plunge into The Unknown
Be brave and plunge into the unknown. When it comes to business dinners, most people say fortune favors the brave. However, this statement is undoubtedly true. Although everyone can pair a Cabernet with steak or seafood with Chardonnay, this food association and wine knowledge level is unlikely to help you make a lasting impression.
Going into the unknown meaning having an element of surprise will surely impress your business clients and aid you in saving more money. Being brave is not only about making unusual wine choices; it means asking for suggestions when you need it as well.
Takeaway
So, the world of wine is, for the most part, something wonderful and something that everyone likes to talk about for hours. However, keep in mind that you are in dinner to do business and not to babble. Nevertheless, it is very important to choose the right bottle of wine in your business dinner because it is one of the elements that will help you close the deals and be with you in all the most crucial negotiations.
Organizing a business dinner can be frightening with plenty of things to take into consideration and so much on the pressure on the table. From the seating arrangements and guest list to planning the menu, it is quintessential to get everything correct. And above anything else, it is how you plan and choose your wine that has the most significant impact on your business dinner.