Sommelier André Hueston Mack answers the question “Is it okay to send back a bottle of wine at a restaurant?” The answer? Yes, but…
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is it okay to send back a bottle of wine in a restaurant this is an interesting question yes and no you can send back a bottle of wine if it’s bad that’s the reason why they pour you a little taste you’re supposed to check the quality of the wine to see if it’s sound to see if it’s not court it’s not to see if you like it and so that’s where the confusion lies if there’s something wrong with the wine definitely send it back the best thing to do is like call The Sawmill way back over and ask them to taste it that’s kind of the professional thing you say hey I think this is a little off something like that and let them taste it and at that point they can decide that’s generally the rule if you’re sending it back because you just don’t like it that’s a little something different and that’s not a reason to really send it back
30 Comments
thank you! what about the awkward moment where they just present and show you the bottle, is there some expectation? do you ask then to try it, or?
I was at a graduation dinner with my aunt and uncle. They got a bottle of wine. The server gave them a taste test. They accepted. Proceeded to drink a little more then realized it wasn’t good. Asked to exchange it. Server refused because we had already accepted the bottle. Awkward argument ensues. I was mortified.
What if you asked the sommelier for a recommendation and they recommended something that isn't to your taste? They didn't do a good job of eliciting your preferences, and I think you should not have any qualms about sending it back under those circumstances.
Not yes and no. Just yes
Great advice!
You can send it back anytime it doesnt matter, if you hate it why wouldn't you send it back
A French person would have no problems sending back a bottle of wine they don’t like at an Asian restaurant but never at a French restaurant. This is how it goes in Paris.
Agree with this definitely
True this is something that a lot of people don't know. If you want to know the taste of a wine you ask for a taste of their house wines but if you're ordering by bottle, you better know what you want.
exactly
I hate when I see pll send wine back just bc they think it’s bad but really never drank a wine that’s not in a box or that is under $10
As a sommelier, I'm of two minds. If they pick something themselves and I disagree with their pick, whether it's for pairing or for something they are looking for, I'll let them know, and if they still go forward with it and it's not off, I'll try to make them commit. If I recommend something and it isn't to taste, ah well, it's something to taste with my servers, free education! Not every recommendation pans out, as you can't know someone's entire palate first meeting, so I try to be lenient. 🙂
If you go to Olive Garden and order by the glass you can send that back but yeah you shouldn’t be sending back whole bottles.
Only if it’s gone vinegar
this dude is so insecure about how he looks he can't help but hide behind the same beanie and glasses for his entire life.
this man has a doctorate in wine
This is a quality short.
Where do I find the sommelier at my local Chili’s?
I don't care at all about wine but I like this guy a lot
Nah, the markup on a bottle of wine is somewhere between 350-500%. If it taste bad, i’m sending it back.
Hey I just bought a port. Can I keep it in my fridge like normal wine or does it need to stay in a cupboard?
What does a corked wine taste like?
That makes so much more sense to me now
More wine content please! Big fan of Mack and his tips.
I went to a restaurant that only sold natural wine and a table next to us sent the wine back for being “funky” – when the staff explained that that’s what this specific natural wine tastes like they got very defensive about knowing wine and demanded a different bottle
Do you have to give a fresh glass and redo the taste test for every bottle??
Only if you were not poured a tasting
I have a distinct feeling this will never be a problem for me 😅
When I was a bartender I had customers send back shots of tequila, they would say that it didn't taste like the tequila they ordered
send back in time