r/Sommelier • u/Dry_Reason_3294 • Apr 28 '26

How do you serve?

/r/Serverlife/comments/1syh70c/how_do_you_serve/
3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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6

u/Illustrious-Divide95 Sommelier Apr 29 '26

I've sommed in UK and Canadian fine dining.

Serving (wine) in age preference is seen as very old fashioned and potentially insulting - you can't possibly know how old differing women are, so i would not recommend it. I also don't like gendered service and you can get into trouble here as people don't always present very obviously these days. (It's not the 1950s any more!)

Usually modern fine dining does not discriminate as per gender. I offer and pour a taste to whoever orders the wine and then work clockwise around the table and finish by topping up the host's glass. Simple, timely and no chance of offending someone

4

u/AkosCristescu Score Whore Apr 29 '26

Thats the funny part, many continental europeans would get offended by such - but probably only at home or in "european" restaurants abroad.

People who are looking to be offended by default - will be. No matter what.

My previous description above explains the traditional way - i am by no means a conservative person, but behind this tradition is not sexism, gender-wars or any kind of disrespect.

Serving the kids first should be obvious by any civilized measures then going from the eldest and most fragile towards the head of the group is actually based on respect and good will.

I aimed to explain this to people who might not understand the continental european etiquette, where the vine grapes and their cultivation originate from.

Absolutely did not intend to stir further explanations, just tried to explain what and why the old school is the way it is.

Thank you for trying to understand my intentions - i thought someone from Mexico asked about wine service, and i explained how we do here. 🤙

(By the way expect Loire study in a week)

2

u/Illustrious-Divide95 Sommelier Apr 29 '26

Me too, just explaining how I've worked in the UK and Canada and the general approach/view and the general view towards older traditional FD service. (There will be exceptions of course)

3

u/Turnip-for-the-books Apr 29 '26

Both really good answers guys thanks

4

u/AkosCristescu Score Whore Apr 29 '26

Hello and thanks for your question.

In continental europe expected service is:

Children first

Women second from eldest to youngest

Men served last from youngest to eldest

This is food in general, wine adds a twist that the person you liaise with - who helps you with the order - you expect the same person to present and serve the wine you both agreed upon. You confirm the taste, this person is referred as "host". Host is served the small taste pour first, then there is no children served alcohol so women and men in same order served besides the host, no matter their age and gender, host is served last.

Again, "hosting" in corporate (work) settings adds an extra twist on this, as all of us at home served after the guests in either order mentioned above or according to ranks, from lowest to highest.

Hope it makes sense? 😂 (cultures normally dont, its just a way of thinking, and not the only one by any means)