**Wine Training for Waiters**

Summary

This script is an educational guide to wine basics, focusing on nine common types: four whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling) and five reds (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and others). It simplifies wine terminology and offers pairing tips, such as matching fats with tannins and pairing sweet/spicy foods with sweet wines. The key takeaway is to drink what you like, even if it defies traditional pairing rules.

Takeaways

• 🍷 Learning about wine is akin to learning a new language, where you don't need to know every term to communicate effectively.
• 🌐 Wine is generally categorized into red, white, and rosé, with red and white being the most common.
• 📜 Four common white wines are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
• 🏆 Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine, indicated by 'blanc' meaning white in French.
• 🌫 Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same wine known by different names, both are white and 'gris/grigio' means gray.
• 🧀 Chardonnay is a white wine often associated with a buttery taste, 'charred' can help remember its color.
• 🍯 Riesling is a white wine and is often sweet, think of Reese Witherspoon to remember its sweetness.
• 🍷 Five common red wines include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and others not named in the script.
• 🎬 Pinot Noir is a red wine, 'noir' means black in French, similar to 'film noir'.
• 🥩 Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine with the most tannins, ideal for pairing with fatty foods like steak.
• 🐟 Pinot Noir has lighter tannins and pairs well with salmon, duck, and chicken.
• 🔥 Avoid pairing spicy foods with red wines as the tannins can intensify the spiciness.
• 🍰 For sweet or spicy dishes, opt for medium sweet or off-dry wines, with Riesling being a possible choice.
• 💬 Always consider personal preferences when suggesting a wine, even if it deviates from traditional pairing rules.

Q & A

What is the main analogy used to describe learning about wine?

Learning about wine is compared to learning a foreign language, where you don't need to know every term to communicate effectively.

How many types of wine are commonly categorized?

Wine is commonly categorized into three types: red, white, and rose.

What are the four white wines mentioned in the script?

The four white wines mentioned are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Riesling.

What does 'blanc' mean in the context of wine?

'Blanc' means white in French, and Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine.

How can you remember that Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are white wines?

You can remember that Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are white wines because 'gri' means gray in both French and Italian, and gray is a light color.

What is a mnemonic to remember that Chardonnay is a white wine?

The mnemonic is to think of the phrase 'charred and butter' to remember that Chardonnay is white and often has a buttery taste.

What is the mnemonic suggested for remembering that Riesling is a white wine?

Think of Reese Witherspoon to remember that Riesling is not only white but often sweet.

How many red wines are mentioned in the script?

Five red wines are mentioned: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and three others.

What does 'noir' mean in the context of wine?

'Noir' means black in French, and Pinot Noir is a red wine, often indicating it is dark.

What is the rule for pairing wine with fatty foods?

Fats and tannins are friends, so a fatty ribeye steak would pair better with a heavy tannin wine.

How can you tell if a wine has a lot of tannins?

Hold the wine up to the light; if hardly any light comes through, it's a darker red wine with lots of tannins.

Which red wine has the most tannins according to the script?

Cabernet Sauvignon has the most tannins.

Which red wine has the least tannins according to the script?

Pinot Noir has the lightest tannins.

What is the advice for pairing sweet and spicy foods with wine?

Pair sweet and spicy foods with sweet wines, and avoid pairing spicy foods with red wines as the tannins can clash with the spice.

What is the final rule for wine pairing mentioned in the script?

The final rule is to drink what you like, and consider the guest's preferences when suggesting a wine.