Not Sure? Ask for a Taste. Why We Pour Free Wine Tastes

Here's a small thing we do at Crave that guests tell us they appreciate: you can taste any of our by-the-glass wines first (reserve Coravin pours excepted). Just ask, and we'll pour you a free 1 oz taste. No upsell, no pressure, no strange looks if you'd rather try something else. Our line for it is simple: Not sure? Ask for a taste. A wine list is a page of names, places and grapes. Even a good description only gets you part of the way. "Bright, citrusy, crisp" means something different to every person reading it. One ounce in the glass tells you more than any paragraph we could write. And frankly, we'd rather you love what you order. A glass you're lukewarm about doesn't help your dinner or our reputation. A taste takes thirty seconds and settles it. The best way to use a taste: The most useful thing you can do with a free taste is compare. Sauvignon Blanc is a good example, because plenty of our guests already love it. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, like Magistrate or Stoneleigh, is a guest favorite on our list. It's typically bright and zesty, with plenty of citrus and a green, herbal edge. Our Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc too, from France's Loire Valley, and it tends to come across more restrained and mineral. Same grape, different place, very different glass. Taste them side by side and you'll know which style you prefer, probably for good. You can do the same with almost anything. Torn between two reds? Taste both. Curious about something you've never heard of? That's what the taste is for. Tasting also helps with food. A wine can taste one way on its own and quite another next to a plate of seafood or a rich, braised dish. If you've already ordered, try your taste with a bite of what's in front of you. That's the real test, and it's the one that matters most. No wine expertise required: You don't need the right vocabulary to ask for a taste, and you don't need to explain yourself after. "I like this one" is a perfectly good tasting note. Tell your server or me what you usually enjoy, or what you're having for dinner, and we'll point you toward a couple of options worth trying. That's the point of a neighborhood restaurant with a serious wine list. Crave has been in Mount Pleasant since 2008, and our list leans New World, with approachable glasses starting at $10. We want it to feel like an invitation, not a test. So next time you're looking at the list and can't decide, don't guess. Ask for a taste. — Sophia