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Developing an exquisite wine menu demands a great deal of time and effort, yet is worth the investment. Many factors must be taken into account when curating your ideal selection of wines – its far more than deciding between reds and whites! Restaurants and bars have to carefully consider their target customers, the types of food they serve, and ultimately the type of atmosphere they wish to create.
In this article, we will go through designing your own restaurants wine list by going over all these aspects in detail. We will also explain why designing a separate wine menu is essential for any restaurant, as well as provide useful solutions on how to identify the best wines that can be paired with your food offerings. Keep reading!
Wine Selection: Dry wine vs. Sweet wine
Pairing the perfect type of wine with food is a craft based on the flavor profile it contains. Its important to understand this when designing your restaurants menu, as diners will often want certain wines selection to be available for purchase with the menu items they decide to order.
For example, if you offer spicy foods then sweet reds or whites would be a better choice, however, if you have salty and fried dishes then dry reds or whites would be the best option.
Note: Spicy foods pair best with wines having a lower alcohol content.
Wine pricing is determined by the actual quality of the wine, brand, and age. The price of a bottle of wine may differ depending on its country or region of origin, as well as the location its sold; be it in local stores or restaurants.
However, in restaurants, the price markup is between 2 to 3 times the cost of the original. At some establishments, customers can get a bottle for $35 but if they go to an upscale restaurant with higher-priced wines their wine might cost $85.
Types of restaurants have different pricing structures for wine because their customers generally enjoy wines at a variety of price points, whereas with a high-end restaurant the customer is looking to find that quality wine they are willing to pay more money for.
The type and volume of food offered also influences price points since certain dishes will require higher-priced wines in order to pair well with them.
Below are the most common wine price ranges:
- $20 – $49 ($)
- $50 – $99 ($$)
- $100 and up ($$$)
If you want to sell high-priced wines, keep in mind that the cut-off should be around $500, unless you are serving an exceptional wine such as a vintage wine or one of the top wines in the world. Otherwise, all your customers will be seeing it as dollar signs and not a high-quality product.
Of course, you do not always need to have high-priced wines in your restaurant to be successful. It is essential that you offer wines at cost-effective and affordable prices, reasonable ones that still provide you with a profit margin. To remain ahead of the competition, create a bespoke wine list for your restaurant that is exclusive to you. That way, you can continue to elevate your brand and offer something no other clubs are offering.
However, if you find your customers asking for a wine that may be offered by your competitors pretty often, consider adding it to your wine selection to avoid losing to your competition.
How To Plan A Small Wine List for a Restaurant
FAQ
What makes a good wine menu?
How do you arrange a wine menu?
How do I create a wine menu?
1. Pick a wine menu design you like from a wide range of templates for high-end restaurants, casual cafes, trendy bars, stately wineries, and more. 2. Upload and position images of your wine, grapes, bottles and casks with our Wine Menu Maker tool. 3. Upload your logo or create a new one to brand your menu and accompanying marketing materials. 4.
How do you make a wine list for a restaurant?
Have wines available by the glass 7. Make sure the menu makes guests feel empowered 8. Suggest pairings 9. Arrange your list by anything other than price 10. Test new additions to the list 1. Start with who you are Your wine list should always reflect the ambiance and personality of your restaurant.
How do you make a good wine tasting menu?
If you run an Asian restaurant, serve more delicate, spice- and fruit-filled wines and bubbly roses to counteract the heat of spicy dishes. Alternatively, you might fill your menu with wines from the same country as the food you serve. It’s important to understand wine tasting basics so you can create a well-varied menu.
How do you design a wine list?
Match the energy of the wine list to your brand through subtle design elements. Designing wine lists in-house is a great way to save, but hiring a design for all your menus streamlines the process. Software like Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Powerpoint can empower you to create your own designs with that professional finish.