Start with what you like
You do not need the right vocabulary. Tell us about a bottle you enjoyed, a flavour you are curious about, or the food you are planning to order. “Something fresh” is useful. So is “something that feels like a long Sunday lunch”.
Let the food join in
A crisp white can feel lovely beside something salty and lemony. A lighter red can be an easy companion for roasted vegetables. These are starting points for a conversation, not rules you need to memorise.
Make room for curiosity
Sharing a bottle is one way to explore. Trying a small glass of something new is another. At our fictional tasting nights, the idea is to compare, ask questions and find your own favourite without feeling that there is a correct answer.
Not drinking? Still very much invited.
A good drinks list needs thoughtful choices without alcohol, too. Rosemary lemonade, something gently bitter, a seasonal shrub with soda: a special glass should feel special whatever is in it.