The short answer
Tell your server three things: what you usually like, a wine you've enjoyed before and about how much you want to spend. You don't need to know grape names or regions to end up with a bottle you'll like.
What should I tell my server?
Three things get you most of the way there:
- What you usually like. Red, white or bubbles, and whether you like it light and crisp or rich and bold.
- A wine you've enjoyed before. A grape, a label or even "the one we had at a wedding" gives your server something to work from.
- Your price. Point to a price on the list and say "something around here."
That's it. You don't need to know regions, vintages or tasting words.
How do I give a budget without it being awkward?
Point at a price on the list instead of saying a number out loud. Servers do this all night, and it keeps the conversation about what you like, not what you're spending.
Should I order by the glass or the bottle?
A standard bottle pours about five glasses. If two or more people at the table each want two glasses, a bottle usually makes more sense. If everyone wants something different, go by the glass.
Try it at Max's
Our wine list runs from light and crisp to rich and bold, so you can point to where you like to land. During Happy Hour, house wines are 9 a glass.
See the wine listCan I taste a wine before I order it?
[Confirm Max's policy on tasting wines by the glass before ordering.]
What if I don't like what I ordered?
[Confirm Max's policy. Many restaurants will swap a glass if you tell your server right away.]
Good to know
Do I need to know wine words to order?
No. Telling your server what you usually like and how much you want to spend is enough.
What's the difference between dry and sweet?
Dry wine has little or no sugar left after it's made, and sweet wine has more. Most red and white wines on a restaurant list are dry.
Is a more expensive wine always better?
No. Price follows things like region, age and how much was made. A lower-priced bottle you like is a better pick than a pricier one you don't.
Can I take an unfinished bottle home?
[Confirm Max's policy and the Texas rules for resealed bottles.]
