Wine Etiquette teaches us that even situations like this can be handled with discretion and elegance, thus avoiding any embarrassment for the other guests, the waiting staff, or the host or hostess.

In this guide, you’ll find some practical tips on how to point out a faulty wine, whether at a restaurant or during a dinner with friends, without coming across as rude. Small adjustments in the way you speak and act can help you avoid making the moment awkward and prevent it from spoiling the convivial atmosphere of the meal.

How to handle a faulty wine at a restaurant: the rules of wine etiquette

Follow these etiquette tips to handle this delicate situation in the best possible way. There are only a few, yet essential, rules designed to help you point out a faulty wine without causing embarrassment or tension at the table or in the dining room.

What truly makes the difference is how you communicate the issue: you should show calm, composure, tact and respect toward both the other guests and the person who served the wine.

1. Stay Calm

Stay calm when you notice a flaw in the wine. Even if the taste or smell seems immediately unpleasant, it’s essential not to react instinctively or emotionally. Taking a few moments to assess the situation calmly allows you to handle the issue with elegance and discretion, avoiding any embarrassment for the other guests, the sommelier or the host.

If you’re not sure about your perception, you can taste the wine again to confirm your initial impressions. This small precaution helps you distinguish between an actual fault and a fleeting impression. In any case, maintaining a calm and measured attitude is key to handling the situation in the best possible way.

2. Avoid blunt or loud comments

Avoid dramatic reactions or rude, abrupt remarks, especially spoken out loud. Expressions such as “this wine is undrinkable”, “this wine is a disaster” or “this wine can’t be drunk” should definitely be avoided. Such behavior is not only inelegant but can also make other guests and the person who served the wine uncomfortable, disrupting the pleasant atmosphere at the table or in the dining room.

It’s important to remember that a faulty wine is not necessarily the waiter’s or sommelier’s fault. Even the finest wineries and the most prestigious bottles can occasionally have a problem.

Good manners and wine etiquette teach us that, in these cases, saying nothing is often the most elegant choice.

3. Politely get the staff’s attention

Do not get up to approach the waiting staff or complain in a conspicuous and dramatic way. This kind of behavior is inelegant and can make both the other guests and the person serving the wine uncomfortable. Get the staff’s attention politely, maintaining composure and self-control, without gesturing frantically or showing irritation.

A discreet and elegant approach involves trying to catch the eye of the waiting staff or sommelier when they are nearby, accompanying the gesture with a small nod to draw their attention. If necessary, you can also speak to them in a low, polite tone, maintaining composure and courtesy. Some examples of appropriate phrases are: “Excuse me, please” or “I would need a little help, thank you”.

4. Speak with moderation and courtesy

Once the waiting staff or sommelier approaches the table, it is important to use polite and measured phrases to point out any potential issue with the wine.

After tasting, you can say, for example:

“I believe this bottle is not in its best condition.”
“Perhaps the wine has a slight flaw; may I ask for another taste?”
“It seems to me that the wine isn’t at its best; could we check it together?”

If the sommelier is present, you can also politely ask for confirmation, for example:

“Excuse me, could you kindly check if this bottle has any issues?”
“Could you give me your opinion on this bottle, please?”

This approach is not only polite, but it also allows the staff to handle the situation quickly, offering a replacement or an appropriate solution without causing any discomfort.

5. Let the service staff take the lead

In high-end establishments, the sommelier or waiter will handle the situation professionally, personally checking the bottle and replacing it without hesitation. There is no need to insist: qualified staff can immediately recognize if a wine is faulty and will act accordingly.

This discreet attitude on the part of the guest makes the situation easier to manage and allows the restaurant to maintain the proper level of service and courtesy. Relying on the expertise of the sommelier or head waiter is the best choice, as it avoids misunderstandings and allows the situation to be resolved quickly and elegantly.

How to handle a faulty wine at a friend’s home: the rules of wine etiquette

This is the most delicate situation: you are a guest at a friend’s home for dinner and notice that the wine served has a flaw. In these cases, the approach you take changes slightly.

Remaining calm and discreet is always the best choice. Avoid direct remarks or comments that could embarrass the host, even in front of other guests.

If the wine has only a minor flaw, you can choose to ignore it; if, on the other hand, the flaw is very noticeable…

Communicate the flaw to the host privately

It is not appropriate to point out the flaw in front of everyone, as this could cause immediate embarrassment. It is preferable to address it privately with the host, always using a kind and respectful tone. The host can then decide how to handle the situation and, if necessary, replace the bottle, taking the initiative. By doing so, you maintain the proper harmony during the dinner and safeguard respect for roles and hospitality.

If you ever find yourself in one of these situations, follow the advice of the experts at Wineshop.it to point out a wine’s flaw with style and courtesy. This way, you will be able to handle the issue discreetly and confidently, always making a great impression.