Choose Wine Like a Pro
Confident choices for client entertaining
We’ve all been there... The table is set, the stakes are high, and the wine list lands in your hands like a final exam you haven’t studied for.
You scan the pages... Chinon, Furmint, Blaufränkisch, and silently wish for a safe Sauvignon or the sommelier to save you.
At Lunzer Wine, we believe wine should be a pleasure, not a pressure test. Inspired by the brilliant framework from WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and our decades of hosting high-end tastings, we’ve designed Choose Like a Pro, a practical, fizz-fuelled session that helps professionals feel confident, informed, and quietly brilliant when choosing wine.
The 7 Smartest Ways to Read a Wine List (Lunzer-style)
1. Start with the Structure
Some lists are sorted by grape or region (useful, if you know your Nebbiolo from your Nero d’Avola). Others are grouped by style — crisp, bold, fruity — making it easier to navigate by feel.
2. Wines by the Glass Are Your Friend
Don’t dismiss them — especially if your group is diverse or you want to explore. A well-curated by-the-glass list is often a cheat sheet to the venue’s best and most flexible offerings.
3. Skip the Obvious, Find the Value
Familiar names carry markups. Look instead to off-the-beaten-path regions like Galicia, Austria or Portugal — where quality often far exceeds price.
4. Pair by Place
Food and wine evolve together. Italian food? Choose Italian wine. Rich French dish? Go Loire or Beaujolais. Trust the map.
5. Vintage Isn’t Everything
Unless you’re shopping for your cellar, most modern wines are great young. Ask about recent vintages, especially in the £50–£100 sweet spot.
6. Use the Sommelier
Not as a crutch, but a collaborator. Be honest about what you like (and your budget), and they’ll usually steer you somewhere memorable.
7. Confidence Is the Best Pairing
That’s where we come in. Our Choose Like a Pro sessions take the stress out of wine selection and add just the right amount of sparkle.
What Is "Choose Like a Pro" ?
This is an entertaining but informative 60–90 minute in-house experience, led by Peter Lunzer, featuring fizz, four curated wines, and a hands-on walk through of real-world restaurant wine lists.
You’ll learn to:
• Read and decode wine lists like an insider
• Spot value (and avoid the wine list traps)
• Pair food and wine with ease
• Ask the right questions and trust your taste
No lectures. No snobbery. Just elegant, inclusive expertise.
Who It’s For:
• Client-facing professionals
• Executive assistants and event planners
• Anyone hosting dinners or drinks for important guests
• Teams who want to impress, without the stress
Ready to replace wine list 'anxiety' with wine list 'confidence'?
Let’s book your Choose Like a Pro session.
Contact us and let’s raise a glass to smarter sipping.
