Sometimes it’s the little things that count when a sommelier is about to suggest a wine. A writer for the Washington Post, Dave McIntyre relates a wonderful experience he recently encountered in Charlottesville, Virginia. In the Washington Post article, “Why the sommelier watches how you attack the bread basket” he recounts visiting the restaurant, Fleurie, with his own bottle of wine only to find that it was oxidized. McIntyre discusses the pros of relying on a good sommelier to help with choosing a wine.

At the Fleurie restaurant, Erin Scala is the sommelier and has some definite ideas of the proper way to judge or read what the customer may like to enjoy in the evening. According to the article, McIntyre describes how Scala reads the customer by carefully observing how they eat the bread. Another clue for Scala to observe is if the diner orders ice with water. Do you know what picking up your napkin, leaving your wine glasses in the correct order or not moving your bread plate mean? Find out by reading McIntyre’s article. It’s fascinating to discover that it is the little things you do that can determine what a sommelier can learn about your wine preferences. You will also learn how Scala feels about Beaujolais.

Cheers!
Kathy