Buzz
This Valentine’s Day, you might have planned an elegant dinner for your special someone. You've accounted for everything: some appetizers, main courses, and a carefully chosen dessert to share. Upon arriving at the restaurant, the atmosphere is perfect with the lighting just right, the music adding a relaxing touch, and you're feeling optimistic about what the evening holds. Then, the waiter hands you the wine list.
If you're stuck between the lowest-priced choices (essentially, like me, you don’t know much about wine beyond enjoying it), just opt for the cheapest option. Restaurants mark up the second cheapest because they know you won’t want to seem too frugal in front of your date, but also don’t want to overspend, especially when dining somewhere pricier than your usual spot.
A glass of wine typically costs at least $8 at dinner—while there are plenty of great options available for under $15 for an entire bottle. It’s true that drinks are where many restaurants boost their profits, but when you're already spending on a fine meal, there's no need to choose the glass that’s a dollar or two more, especially when you won’t notice the taste difference. If the restaurant has a skilled sommelier, the cheapest wine will still be enjoyable.
Of course, there are exceptions: Perhaps you’re a fan of Chardonnay, but the least expensive option is Pinot Gris; maybe you’re a wine connoisseur willing to spend more on a high-quality bottle, or wine is a passion of your date's and you want to impress them; you might be quite wealthy and not mind how much you spend on wine; you could also be dining at the Cheesecake Factory where the cheapest wine is their own blend, which isn’t great (trust me); etc.
This advice is aimed at those who enjoy wine but feel uneasy about choosing the least expensive glass, fearing it might make them seem less refined or ungrateful. Don't worry. There’s already enough stress on Valentine’s Day without adding concerns over the price of your drink.
Here’s to that!
