Holds a wine cloth in the left hand
Keeps bottle height 2 cm from the rim of the glass.
Pours a little wine (1/5 of glass) and offers the host to taste by saying:
“Mr or Mrs (name of guest), for your approval, please”.
Waits for the host to approve
Checks guests satisfaction by saying: “Mr or Mrs (name of guest), is the wine to your satisfaction?”
Starts pouring for women first, then male guests, and lastly the taster
For red wine, sommelier/wine waiter holds red wine glass (never touch the glass) by the stem with the left hand, while pouring the wine with the right hand.
If the host does not approve the wine, sommelier/wine waiter offers to change the wine
Immediately and extends an apology by saying: “Mr or Mrs (name of guest),
I apologize for the inconvenience; please allow me to change the wine immediately”.
Identifies guests who will have wine, before proceeding with pouring of wine
Pours from the right hand side 1/2 – 2/3 of the wine glass, label always facing the guests, women first and guest/host who has chosen the champagne last, by saying: “May I, Mr/s (name of guest)?”
Places the bottle back in the bucket (for white & rosé wines).
For red wine, places the wine basket on the table.
Checks on the wine glasses during the meal and refills glasses as soon as the latter are 1/3 full, by saying: “Excuse me, may I pour some more wine for you, Mr/s (name of guest)?”
Sommelier/wine waiter withdraws from guests with a courtesy bow and a smile, and wishes
Them a pleasant day/evening before retiring, by saying: “Mr/s (name of guest), have a pleasant (time of the day)”.
TASTING & POURING OF CHAMPAGNE
Sommelier/wine waiter offers host to taste champagne after opening of bottle, with a smile and eye contact as follows:
Moves to the right hand side of the host.
Ensures that the right thumb is on the green of the bottle and supported by the four fingers, and holds the champagne flute by the stem with the left hand while pouring the champagne.
Pours slowly 1/3 flute of champagne and offers it to the host to taste
By saying - “Mr or Mrs. (name of guest), for your approval, please”.
After hosts approval, identifies guests who are having champagne, serves women first, and the guest/host who has chosen the champagne, last.
Pours slowly up to 3/4 flute of champagne
Twists bottleneck 45º at the end of pouring, to avoid dripping.
Uses a nicely folded wine cloth held in the left hand to catch any dripping.
Places the bottle back in the wine bucket after serving, and refills flutes whenever they are 1/2 full (unless specified otherwise by guest).