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There are still some great mysteries out there in our world.
For instance:
What exactly was the point of Stonehenge?
Really now, where are Jim Morrison and Elvis Presley hiding out?
And how much do you tip on a bottle of wine?
Ask 10 people you'll get 10 different answers to all three questions.
But after talking to a bunch of pros, there seems to be some underlying etiquette to the latter.
Look, in general, it takes a lot more work for the restaurant staff to make $1,000 worth of food than it does for the sommelier to go grab a $1,000 bottle of wine out of the cellar, remove the cork and pour it for you.
So why does that require a 20 percent tip? Seems nuts right?
Well, maybe not.
As with all things surrounding tipping, there really is no right answer but here are a few guidelines:
Related: The 3-Step Plan for Picking the Right Wine for Your Business Dinner
1. It still comes down to service.
If you asked the sommelier for a nice bottle of white wine and she came back with a bottle of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio (no offense to Santa Margherita), that's not service. That's just lazy.
But if she spent time talking to you, figuring out your tastes and wowed you with a bottle you never had before, then tip her on the wine. So, if you normally give 20 percent, give it on the total bill – food and wine.
2. Consider tipping the sommelier directly.
This is a very common suggestion among wine professionals.
Often, the good sommeliers and wine directors are salaried and a part of management. Therefore, they are not in the waiter tip pool, notes Roberta Morrell, president and CEO of the Morrell Wine Group and the Morrell Wine Bar in New York City.
So you can't always presume your sommelier is going to get a piece of your 20 percent at the end of the night. And if you're unsure, ask him.
If the sommelier is not in the waiter pool, and the service warrants it, then absolutely tip him directly.
3. Offer the sommelier a taste.
"When drinking an older or rare wine, I always offer the waiter or sommelier a taste," says Antonio Galloni, founder of Vinous Media and formerly one of Robert Parker's lead wine critics for the The Wine Advocate.
That's because these sommelier don't often get a chance to taste some of the unopened aged stuff. Offering a sommelier a taste of a rare wine is like offering your kid unlimited servings at the ice cream bar. It also means you just made a friend for life.
And he now may offer you wines aren't even on their main wine list, because you did the right thing, says Galloni.
Related: What It Means to Be JetBlue's Wine Expert
4. If you can afford a $500 bottle, you can probably afford to leave a nice tip.
But it doesn't have to be 20 percent. The consensus out there is that on a $500+ price per bottle, give a round number that is in line with the efforts, not necessarily the price of the wine, says Laura Maniec, master sommelier/CEO of Corkbuzz restaurants and wine studios in NYC and Charlotte.
Morrell says she tips on $250, regardless of the price of the bottle. And that's completely reasonable within the industry.
And while you don't have to mortgage your house for the tip, be generous. Your sommlier knows you're not broke.
So think it through and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Anyone who has ever served a drink or waited on a table knows all too well that tips mean everything or its Ramen noodles for dinner again.
Or peanut butter and banana sandwiches, which is probably what Elvis is having somewhere right now.
Related: This Woman Is Living the Napa Valley Dream
FAQs
However, my general view (and most others in the industry) is that anyone who can afford to order an expensive bottle of wine should be able to afford the tip that goes along with it—and that tip should be in the customary 15 to 20% range, leaning toward the 20% end for exceptionally good service.
Should you tip 20% on a bottle of wine? ›
"America hasn't really come down on one side or the other ... but we say that if you have just ordered just one glass of inexpensive wine at the bar, the standard tip is $1 to $2 and if you've ordered a bottle at dinner, a 15 to 20 percent tip on the entire check is customary in our culture."
Do you tip on a bottle of wine at a restaurant? ›
Wine served with dinner – The safe recommendation is to tip 15-20% of the total bill, including alcohol, even for expensive bottles of wine. However, we've seen some restaurants say it's OK to tip around 10% for expensive wines. How to Tip at a Restaurant - FundFirst Capital" onclick="window. open(this.
How to tip when you bring your own wine? ›
Tip accordingly.
"Tip 20% on the total bill," says Lewis. "If you are bringing a bottle of wine to a restaurant, it would be good manners to purchase a round of co*cktails or after-dinner drinks. If the server served your bottle exceptionally well, then more would always be appreciated," says Lewis.
What is the etiquette for wine bottles? ›
If the bottle appears to your satisfaction, the server should open the bottle in front of you, and if there's a cork, set it on the table. You may wish to inspect the cork for authenticity and condition, and some wine lovers insist on sniffing it, but the smell of the wine will tell you everything you need to know.
What is the wine 20 rule? ›
So, the next time you're serving wine, remember the 20/20 rule. Pop your reds into the fridge 20 or so before you plan to serve them and pull the whites out 20 minutes or so before you want to enjoy them. Cheers!
How much do you tip on a $20 drink? ›
Leave a tip for every drink.
A good rule to follow is about $1 a drink. In nicer bars, leave $2 per drink. If you're paying with a card, calculate 15% of your tab at the end of the night. For more expensive co*cktails, it's a better idea to go with 15% of the tab rather than tipping by the drink.
How much do restaurants mark up a bottle of wine? ›
The industry standard is to mark up a bottle of wine 200-300% over its retail sales price. Thus, if a high-end wine retails for $20 at a wine retail store, it is likely to sell for $60 to $80 at a restaurant. For rare, expensive or speciality wines, the markups could be as high as 400%.
What is tipping etiquette for alcohol? ›
Similarly, bartenders should be tipped $1 to $2 per drink or 15% to 20% of your total tab. While there's no obligation to leave money in a tip jar, the Emily Post Institute recommends tipping occasionally if your server or barista provides something extra or if you're a regular customer.
Do you tip on alcohol or just food? ›
The $1 for one drink rule is totally acceptable — except when you're ordering co*cktails. The consensus among most of the bartenders I spoke with is that you should tip $1 per beer but $2 per co*cktail. "A lot of people will go to a bar, and they'll order a round for their friends," a New Orleans bartender said.
BYOB or BYO is an initialism and acronym concerning alcohol or marijuana that means "bring your own bottle" or "bring your own booze", "bring your own beer", or for marijuana, "bring your own bud".
How much do you tip a bartender for a glass of wine? ›
It seems that bartenders generally agree that a one-dollar tip is still fine for beer and glasses of wine. However, co*cktails tend to be pricier and require much more of a bartender's time to prepare.
Do you tip when you wine taste? ›
Even if you bought a bottle of wine, your host will appreciate a tip for the service, especially if you had a great experience.
Is it rude to turn wine bottle upside down? ›
Turning an empty wine bottle upside down traditionally signals the end of the meal or celebration, indicating that no more wine is to be poured. While not necessarily rude, it's a cultural gesture that varies. Some embrace the tradition, while others may find it unnecessary or overly formal.
What to write on a bottle of wine gift? ›
Be Personal & Unique
You can wish them a "cheers" to the upcoming year and life surprises, thank them for being such an amazing friend, or make a heartfelt toast for their good health! No matter what words of wine birthday wishes you choose, be sure to say a few words about how much you love and care about the person.
What does it mean when you give wine as a gift? ›
To give a wine is to give joy because it is also one of its pleasant effects. Wine will be the perfect gift for your friends to whom you want to make it clear that the time spent with them is always full of joy and fun.
Do you tip 20% on alcohol? ›
Similarly, bartenders should be tipped $1 to $2 per drink or 15% to 20% of your total tab. While there's no obligation to leave money in a tip jar, the Emily Post Institute recommends tipping occasionally if your server or barista provides something extra or if you're a regular customer.
Is 20% tip appropriate? ›
The appropriate amount to tip servers depends on your service. 15% is appropriate for average service ; 20% if your server is above average. You should feel free to tip above 20% if you received excellent service. If you received poor service, it is better to talk to the manager than skip on the tip.
What is a typical tip for wine tasting? ›
If a tasting room host has been especially educational or helpful, please consider leaving them a tip. If you've had a great time, it's customary to leave $5 per person. If you don't purchase anything or if you've received a coupon or discount for the tasting, then it's polite to leave $10 per person.
How much should a restaurant mark up a bottle of wine? ›
The industry standard is to mark up a bottle of wine 200-300% over its retail sales price. Thus, if a high-end wine retails for $20 at a wine retail store, it is likely to sell for $60 to $80 at a restaurant. For rare, expensive or speciality wines, the markups could be as high as 400%.
