The Problem With Wine By The Glass (And The Solution)

By Madeline Puckette, Guest Blogger for the Menuism Wine Blog
Photo credit: Julia Rosien

Over the years since I've started working in restaurants as a wine server, wine by the glass (known in the biz as WBTG) programs have been growing in size and popularity. But there are a few things to watch out for in "by the glass" wines, particularly at large corporate chains. The following guide illustrates the issues and will help make your next glass of wine much more delectable.

Related Links from the Menuism Wine Blog:

• What the Color of Your Wine Means


• Are Organic and Biodynamic Wines Worth It?


• The Many Faces of a Grape: Demystifying Zinfandel


• The Optimal Serving Temperature for Your Favorite Wines

The Problem With Wine By The Glass (And The Solution) originally published on the Menuism Wine Blog.

 

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Comments

[juhaw]

03:35 AM on 02/25/2012

Listen. If you want to save money, eat at home. Or bring your own bottle and pay the corkage. Otherwise, go to restaurants that offer decent wines by the glass and give you the experience of several different wines through the course of your meal without having to buy the bottle. Its a SERVICE, and higher end restaurants ideally offer better product/service. If you go to the little bistro that wants to turn and burn wines by the glass you get a less expensive glass. But don't think they aren't trying to max out their customer base as well.

Bottom line, you can't milk more value out of a btg program by nitpicking on an ounce of wine. If you want to be more drunk. Order a cocktail or go to P.F Changs, they have a 7oz pour to go with your Kung Pao chicken. What? That doesn't make sense? Certainly, everyone should try to be engaged in their dining experience, but the btg program isn't your enemy. This "insider perspective" is kinda short sighted and not very informative.

[dahpunkster]

09:41 PM on 02/09/2012

Its nice though to try a glass and realize its disgusting rather than buy a bottle and it is undrinkable

[moefuzz]

03:05 PM on 02/08/2012

It's perfectly acceptable to send back a glass because it has turned from being open too long and ask for a freshly opened bottle. And if you're eating in a place that has larger corporate deals with wineries, your food is probably marginal as well. Step away from the Ruby Tuesdays!

[VitaBellaWine]

06:29 AM on 02/08/2012

Very interesting ! This article was selected today in the VitaBella Wine Daily Gossip on www.vitabella.fr

[Edward Taylor]

08:54 PM on 02/07/2012

30 years in the biz and i've never heard it refered to as "WBTG", where do they find these people?

[GraphicMatt]

12:01 PM on 02/08/2012

THANK YOU. I was going to say pretty much the exact thing except I was in the biz for only 20 or so. : )

[JHammack]

01:16 PM on 02/08/2012

I've heard it referred to as WBTG, maybe it's a regional thing?

Otherwise the post seems relatively accurate, it's all mostly common sense?

[madelineelectro]

01:44 PM on 02/08/2012

Hi there Edward,

I first heard the term WBTG at Moët Hennessy USA in NYC. However, perhaps this is relatively new term internally used for their sales force. 30 years a long time as a wine expert, where did you get your start?

[giono]

04:33 PM on 02/07/2012

Very good tips ...especially for those not familiar with the Wine and/or Restaurant business....

[madelineelectro]

01:46 PM on 02/08/2012

Thank you for the comments! Respect for those dedicated to the hospitality side of wine. -Madeline P.

[giono]

08:34 PM on 02/08/2012

I used to sell wine wholesale ...servers were my best friends..

[stjoshy]

02:53 PM on 02/07/2012

the problem with by the glas is that its less drinky times per dollar spent. boooooo

[PollyTics]

09:18 AM on 02/09/2012

Less drinky? Might you have meant something else?

[stjoshy]

05:21 PM on 02/09/2012

drinky times. thats what i meant to write

[madelineelectro]

02:30 PM on 02/07/2012

If you have any questions for me about this article or about wine buying, feel free to ask. -Madeline Puckette

[ArChiMi]

03:55 PM on 02/07/2012

Hi Madeline, is there any Malbec that doesn't give one a headache? If it exists, where can I buy it?

[madelineelectro]

08:19 PM on 02/07/2012

Getting a headache from Malbec could be for a few reasons:

a. you may be sensitive to the histamines in wine which make you flush
b. you're not drinking enough water and you're dehydrated, alcohol exacerbates this
c. you're enjoying too much malbec!

I recently tried Altos Los Hormigas 2010 Malbec from Mendoza, it's a great value at $10 and is well produced. If you truly get a Red Wine Headache you'll get it in the first 15 minutes, you may also consider if you have an alcohol allergy. (that would be sad!)

[dahpunkster]

09:43 PM on 02/09/2012

I like jam jar. It is fruity like a malbec. It has raspberry strawberry overtones, but is not too sweet, never got a headache from it.