Our team of wine professionals, including John Kerr (born in Napa with wine ingrained in him), Gina Trippi (who writes a wine column for The Laurel of Asheville), and Andy Hale (our Director of Sales & Education), are always ready to guide you through our carefully curated selection. We've compiled these top questions to help you engage meaningfully with sommeliers and enhance your wine journey.
Remember, there are no "wrong" questions in the world of wine—only opportunities to learn and discover!
Question #1: What Wine Would Complement My Meal?
Food and wine pairing remains one of the most valuable conversations you can have with a sommelier. A thoughtful pairing can elevate both the food and wine, creating an experience greater than the sum of its parts.
When asking about pairings, consider providing:
- The main protein or vegetable component
- How the dish is prepared (grilled, roasted, fried, etc.)
- Dominant flavors, sauces, or spices
- Your personal preferences (if you generally prefer red, white, dry, etc.)
For example, if you're enjoying Asheville's local trout, our sommeliers might suggest a crisp white wine with good acidity to complement the delicate fish. Or for the region's famous barbecue, perhaps a robust red with enough body to stand up to those smoky flavors.
At Metro Wines, we pride ourselves on understanding both classic pairings and creative matches that might surprise and delight you. Our sommeliers consider not just traditional rules but also your personal preferences and the specific characteristics of local cuisine. Read our blog post about Metro Wines personalized service here.
Question #2: Can You Recommend Something Similar to This Wine I Enjoy?
Telling a sommelier about wines you already enjoy provides valuable insight into your palate. This information helps them recommend new discoveries that align with your preferences while perhaps introducing you to something slightly different.
When asking this question, try to be specific about what you like about the wine:
- The fruit flavors you enjoy (berries, citrus, tropical, etc.)
- The body (light, medium, full)
- Structural elements you appreciate (acidity, tannin level)
- Other characteristics (oak influence, minerality, earthiness)
For instance, if you mention enjoying wines like Tignanello, our sommeliers might suggest other Super Tuscans or perhaps introduce you to high-quality Cabernet-Sangiovese blends from other regions. This approach allows you to explore new territories while staying within your comfort zone.
Our wide selection at Metro Wines enables us to find perfect matches for your preferences, whether you're looking for something nearly identical or ready to venture slightly beyond your usual choices.
Question #3: What's Drinking Well Right Now in My Price Range?
A good sommelier appreciates honesty about budget and won't judge you for having one. This practical question acknowledges that wine enjoyment intersects with financial considerations and helps the sommelier narrow recommendations to wines that offer the best value within your range.
When asking about wines in your price range, consider:
- Being clear about your budget (either a specific amount or a range)
- Mentioning any preferences for regions or styles
- Asking about special values or lesser-known regions
- Inquiring about current promotions or recent discoveries
At Metro Wines, we pride ourselves on offering quality options at every price point. Our pricing is internet competitive and often better! We've carefully selected wines that deliver exceptional value, including hidden gems from lesser-known regions that offer tremendous quality for the price.
Question #4: What Makes This Wine Special or Unique?
Great sommeliers love to share stories about exceptional wines, and these stories can enhance your appreciation of what's in your glass. This question opens the door to learning about winemaking philosophy, unique techniques, regional characteristics, or historical significance.
When a sommelier explains what makes a wine special, you might learn about:
- The winery's history and philosophy
- Unique vineyard locations or microclimates
- Special production methods or traditions
- Vintage characteristics and aging potential
- Rare grape varieties or unusual blends
At Metro Wines, we're passionate about the stories behind our bottles. Understanding these background elements adds depth to your wine experience and helps you appreciate nuances you might otherwise miss.
Question #5: How Should I Store This Wine?
Proper wine storage is essential for maintaining quality, especially for wines you don't plan to consume immediately. This practical question ensures you'll get the most from your purchase.
For proper wine storage, sommeliers typically recommend:
- Keeping wine in a cool, dark place
- Maintaining a consistent temperature (ideally around 55°F)
- Storing bottles on their side if they have cork closures
- Keeping humidity at appropriate levels (around 70%)
- Minimizing vibration and movement
At Metro Wines, we're happy to provide guidance on proper storage for any bottle you purchase. For customers who need wine storage solutions, we can recommend appropriate options based on your collection size and budget.
Question #6: At What Temperature Should I Serve This Wine?
Temperature significantly impacts how a wine tastes. Too cold can mute flavors and aromas; too warm can emphasize alcohol and make wines taste flabby. This question ensures you'll experience the wine at its best.
General temperature guidelines include:
- Full-bodied reds: 59-65°F
- Medium-bodied reds: 55-62°F
- Light-bodied reds: 55-60°F
- Full-bodied whites: 50-55°F
- Light-bodied whites: 45-50°F
- Sparkling wines: 40-45°F
However, specific wines may have unique requirements, and our sommeliers can provide precise recommendations for each bottle you purchase. This attention to detail is part of the boutique atmosphere and personalized service we offer at Metro Wines.
Question #7: Would This Wine Benefit From Decanting?
Decanting serves two main purposes: separating wine from sediment in older bottles and aerating younger wines to help them open up. Not all wines need decanting, so this question helps you determine appropriate serving methods.
When discussing decanting, a sommelier might consider:
- The wine's age and style
- Presence of sediment
- Tannin structure and concentration
- Whether the wine is initially "closed" or tight
- How much time you have before serving
At Metro Wines, we can advise on whether decanting would benefit your selection and even suggest alternatives (like using an aerator) when appropriate. This service ensures you'll enjoy each bottle at its full potential.
Question #8: What Are You Excited About Right Now?
Sommeliers are constantly tasting, learning, and discovering. Asking what excites them currently can lead you to fresh experiences and emerging trends that you might not discover otherwise.
This question might reveal:
- Newly arrived shipments
- Emerging wine regions gaining recognition
- Interesting vintage variations
- Innovative winemaking techniques
- Rediscovered traditional styles making a comeback
At Metro Wines, our team is constantly exploring and evaluating wines to ensure our wide selection remains dynamic and interesting. When you ask what excites us, you tap into our passion and ongoing education in the wine world.
Question #9: Can You Explain What Tannins Are?
Understanding wine terminology enhances your ability to communicate preferences and appreciate different styles. Tannins are one of the fundamental structural elements in wine, particularly reds, and understanding them helps you identify what you enjoy.
Tannins are compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems that create a drying sensation in your mouth—similar to the feeling of strong black tea. They provide structure and aging potential to wines and are particularly prominent in varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, and Syrah.
At Metro Wines, our sommeliers can explain wine terminology in accessible language, helping you develop your wine vocabulary without pretension or intimidation. This educational approach is core to our mission of making wine accessible to everyone.
Question #10: What's the Difference Between Old World and New World Wines?
This question helps you understand broad stylistic differences that influence wine character. While there are always exceptions, Old World (European) and New World (everywhere else) wines often show distinct characteristics.
Generally speaking:
- Old World wines often emphasize structure, acidity, and earthiness
- New World wines frequently showcase riper fruit and higher alcohol
- Old World labels typically emphasize place over grape variety
- New World labels usually highlight the grape variety
- Old World regions often have stricter regulations about winemaking
Understanding these differences helps you navigate wine lists and shop selections more confidently. At Metro Wines, we offer diverse selections from both Old and New World regions, allowing you to explore and compare these different approaches to winemaking.
Question #11: How Long Will This Wine Keep Once Opened?
This practical question helps you plan your consumption and avoid waste. Different wines have different lifespans once opened, based on their structure and preservation methods.
General guidelines for opened wine include:
- Sparkling wine: 1-3 days with a champagne stopper
- Light whites and rosés: 3-5 days refrigerated with cork
- Full-bodied whites: 3-5 days refrigerated with cork
- Light reds: 3-5 days refrigerated with cork
- Full-bodied reds: 3-6 days with cork in a cool place
- Fortified wines: 1-4 weeks depending on the style
Our sommeliers can provide specific recommendations for your purchases, including tips for prolonging freshness (like using wine preservation systems) if you plan to enjoy the bottle over several days.
Question #12: What Wine Would You Recommend for a Special Occasion?
Special occasions often call for special wines. This question helps your sommelier understand both the nature of the celebration and your preferences for marking important moments.
When discussing special occasion wines, consider mentioning:
- The nature of the occasion (anniversary, birthday, achievement)
- Number of people sharing the wine
- Whether food will accompany the wine
- Your budget range for this special bottle
- Any preferences of the honoree (if it's a gift)
At Metro Wines, we help customers select meaningful bottles for important moments. Whether you're looking for a classic special occasion wine or something unique that tells a story, our sommeliers can help you find a bottle that makes an impression.
Question #13: Do You Have Any Local or Regional Wines?
This question connects you with the local wine scene and shows interest in regional specialties. In Asheville, this opens the door to discovering North Carolina's growing wine industry as well as selections that pair beautifully with local cuisine.
When exploring local wines, you might learn about:
- Nearby vineyards and their specialties
- Grape varieties that thrive in the local climate
- The history of winemaking in the region
- Local winemakers and their approaches
- Regional food and wine pairings
At Metro Wines, our local expertise extends to both North Carolina wines and international selections that pair beautifully with Asheville's renowned food scene. This knowledge reflects our commitment to both global wine excellence and regional connection.
Question #14: What's the Story Behind This Producer?
Every bottle has a human element—the people who grew the grapes and transformed them into wine. Learning about producers adds a personal connection to your wine experience.
This question might reveal:
- Family histories and generational winemaking
- Innovative approaches or traditionalist philosophies
- Sustainable or biodynamic farming practices
- The winemaker's background and influences
- Small production details that affect quality and character
At Metro Wines, we've personally selected wines from producers whose stories and philosophies resonate with us. These narratives create connection and context that enhance your appreciation of what's in your glass.
Read our blog post about total wine etiquette when buying wine.
Conclusion: Building a Relationship With Your Sommelier
The most valuable aspect of working with a sommelier is developing an ongoing relationship. Each interaction builds their understanding of your preferences, allowing for increasingly personalized recommendations over time.
At Metro Wines, our boutique atmosphere facilitates these relationships. We remember our regular customers and their preferences, creating a personalized shopping experience that large chains simply can't match.
Don't be intimidated—sommeliers are passionate about sharing their knowledge and helping you discover wines you'll love. Please contact us if we can help on your wine adventure!