All good points. I'm with you -- most of the time. I like being able to see the wines, vintages, the grapes (if it's a Super Tuscan is it predominantly Sangiovese or Cabernet?). As you stated, it makes it easier to go Plan B if your first choice isn't available. Plus, if have to look at a shelf, are the prices always visible? Often, a wine catches my eye on a wine list and then my eyes move to the right and see the price and I back off. That's more awkward if the price isn't visible.
Most of the time I come across the trend (I came across it twice in as many evenings in Milan) I found it frustrating.
But I do know of a few places around here (Rome) where it seems to work and all of them are wine stores that serve food. The bottles are on shelves all around and prices are very visible. It's a single room, and so it's possible to make a choice from most tables. They're organized by region, and within the region by producer. There's a modest markup to drink the bottle there, but that's clearly indicated.
Your post made me think about what makes it work in some places but not in most places. I haven't come up with an answer yet.
Yeah, that's why I throw in the caveats. There are no absolutes, no written wine lists can work is certain places, as you state certainly not most places. But it can work.
There was a spot in Rome, Masto in Testaccio, precisely as you describe, that didn't have a written list as I recall. And again, it worked. But the place was small, easy to browse bottles, food menu was uncomplicated. It works there. Mostofiore had a much larger selection and lots of regions, but, it worked.
Certainly with you on pricing. I mean, there's always a limit to spending. And frankly, I'm looking for a pricing gem, a wine that over-delivers for the region.
We'll keep going to wine bars and keep searching for those answers, right?!
All good points. I'm with you -- most of the time. I like being able to see the wines, vintages, the grapes (if it's a Super Tuscan is it predominantly Sangiovese or Cabernet?). As you stated, it makes it easier to go Plan B if your first choice isn't available. Plus, if have to look at a shelf, are the prices always visible? Often, a wine catches my eye on a wine list and then my eyes move to the right and see the price and I back off. That's more awkward if the price isn't visible.
Most of the time I come across the trend (I came across it twice in as many evenings in Milan) I found it frustrating.
But I do know of a few places around here (Rome) where it seems to work and all of them are wine stores that serve food. The bottles are on shelves all around and prices are very visible. It's a single room, and so it's possible to make a choice from most tables. They're organized by region, and within the region by producer. There's a modest markup to drink the bottle there, but that's clearly indicated.
Your post made me think about what makes it work in some places but not in most places. I haven't come up with an answer yet.
Thanks for writing your thoughts.
Yeah, that's why I throw in the caveats. There are no absolutes, no written wine lists can work is certain places, as you state certainly not most places. But it can work.
There was a spot in Rome, Masto in Testaccio, precisely as you describe, that didn't have a written list as I recall. And again, it worked. But the place was small, easy to browse bottles, food menu was uncomplicated. It works there. Mostofiore had a much larger selection and lots of regions, but, it worked.
Certainly with you on pricing. I mean, there's always a limit to spending. And frankly, I'm looking for a pricing gem, a wine that over-delivers for the region.
We'll keep going to wine bars and keep searching for those answers, right?!