Beverages, including drinks and wines, are generally listed in bar operations in various ways. It is therefore necessary to be conversant with the methods of listings. For example, a visit to a dispense bar may show some wines listed geographically, by type, or by grape.
The contents of such wines may also differ from one another. In another development, there can also be cocktail lists, restaurant wine lists, after-meal lists, and banqueting lists.
This article examines the lists of items used in bar operations, with relevance to agricultural products like grapes and other beverage ingredients.
Definition of a Bar in Beverage Service
The word bar here is the term used to describe the order, service, payment point, and consumption area in licensed premises.
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Bar and Cocktail Lists in Beverage Service
These may range from a basic standard list offering common everyday aperitifs such as Sherries, vermouths, bitters, a solution of spirits with mixers, beers, and soft drinks, together with a limited range of cocktails, to a very comprehensive list offering a good choice in all areas.
The actual format and content will be determined by the style of operation and clientele that the establishment wishes to attract. Depending on this, the emphasis may be in certain areas, such as:
- Cocktails: traditional or fashionable
- Malt whiskies
- Beers
- New world wines
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Restaurant Wine Lists and Agricultural Origins
These may take various formats, such as:
- A full and very comprehensive list of wines from all countries, with emphases on classic areas such as Bordeaux/Burgundy, plus a fine wine/prestige selection.
- A middle-of-the-road, traditional selection, for example, some French, German, and Italian wines, together with some New World wines.
- A small selection of well-known or branded wines – a prestige list.
- Predominantly wines of one particular country.
After-Meal Drinks Lists (Digestives)
These lists are often combined with the wine list – although occasionally they are presented as a separate liqueur list. The list should offer a full range of liqueurs, together with possibly a specialist range of brandies and/or a specialist range of malt whiskies.
Vintage and Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) port may also be offered here. In addition, a range of specialty liqueur/spirit coffees might also be included.
Banqueting Wine Lists for Events
The length of the list will generally depend on the size of the operation. In most instances, there is a selection of popular wine names/styles on offer.
There would be a range of prices from house wines to some wines to suit all customer preferences. In some instances, the banqueting wine list is the same as the restaurant wine list.
Room Service Drinks Lists
There may be a mini-bar in the room, or the room service menu may offer a choice from a standard bar list. The range of wines offered is usually limited, and prices will range according to the type of establishment.
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Contents of Wine and Drink Lists
The content of wine and drink lists is commonly listed in the order in which they may be consumed:
- Aperitifs which, alongside sparkling and still wines, can include a range of aromatized wines, fortified wines, and natural spring and mineral waters.
- Cocktails
- Spirits and associated mixers (aerated waters)
- Wines sparkling and still
- Beers, aerated waters, and squashes
- Digestives which, as well as liqueurs, may also include brandies, malt whiskies, ports, other fortified wines, sweet table wines, and vin doux naturels
- Specialty coffees and cigars may also be included in lists.
Methods of Listing Wines in Beverage Operations
Wines are usually listed in three main ways:
- Listing wines by place of origin (geography)
- Listing wines by type
- Listing wines by grape
Geographical Listing for Wines
The traditional approach is to list wines by geographical area. Within this approach, the wines are presented by country or region, such as France or Australasia (which includes Australia and New Zealand), and then within that area by area.
It is also usual to have the wines presented under each country, region, or area with the white wines first, followed by the rosé wines, and then the red wines. Using this approach, the listing of wines within a wine list might be:
- Champagne
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
- Portugal
- England
- Other European wines
- Australia
- The Americas (USA and South America)
- Australasia
- South Africa
- Other world wines
- House wines
To help customers choose a wine and to enable staff to make recommendations, it can be useful for each group of wines to be listed from the lighter wines to more full-bodied wines.
Listing Wines by Type
A modern approach is to have wines listed by type:
- Sparkling wines
- White wines
- Rosé wines
- Red wines
- Dessert wines
The wines can then be listed under each type of wine in three main ways:
- Country by country
- Region by region (similar to the geographical listing described above)
- By the style of the wine
If the wines are to be listed by type and by style, then the wines could be presented under, for instance, the headings:
- Sparkling
- Rosé wines
- White wines
- Grapey whites
- Grassy fruity whites
- Richer whites
- Red wines
- Fruity reds
- Claret-style reds
- Herby-spicy reds
To help the customer choose a wine and to enable staff to make recommendations, it is useful for each group of wines to be listed in order from the lighter wines to the more full-bodied wines.
Listing Wines by Grape Variety
If the wines are to be listed by grape, then one approach could be to list the grapes in alphabetical order. Under each heading, the wines made with that grape are listed, as well as the principal blends that are made with that grape as the predominant grape.
When the wines are listed under the heading ‘other white grapes’ or ‘other red grapes,’ then the grapes of the wine should also be listed next to the name of the wine.
A. White grapes
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Gewurztraminer
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Other white grapes
B. Red grapes:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Gamay
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Sangiovese
- Shiraz/Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Zinfandel
- Other red grapes
To help customers choose a wine and to aid staff in making recommendations, it is useful for each group of wines to be listed in order from the lighter wines to the more full-bodied wines.
General Information Required for Beverage Lists
It is usual to provide information on wine and drink lists that helps the customer in making decisions and also the staff in making recommendations. This information is shown below.
A. Wines:
- Bin number
- Name of wine
- Country and area of origin
- Quality indication (e.g., AOC, QMP, etc.)
- Shipper
- Château/estate bottled
- Varietal (grape type[s])
- Vintage
- Alcoholic strength
- ½ bottle, bottle, magnum
- Price
- Supplier
- Descriptive notes as appropriate
B. Other drinks:
- Type of drink, for example, juice, whisky, gin, sherry
- Style (sweet, dry, etc.)
- Description, for example, for cocktails
- Alcoholic strength as appropriate
- Descriptive notes as appropriate
This article has provided the basic definition of a bar and the various wines and drinks commonly found in bar operations.
A full and very comprehensive list of wines from all countries, with emphases on classic areas such as Bordeaux/Burgundy, plus a fine wine/prestige selection.
A middle-of-the-road, traditional selection, for example, some French, German, and Italian wines, together with some New World wines. A small selection of well-known or branded wines a prestige list. Predominantly wines of one particular country.
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