Questions for your sommelier

• 1). Talk to your sommelier.
  
  Your sommelier is there to tend to your wine needs and dilemmas. Don't hesitate to ask about anything that could be relevant to your meal and the wine that should accompany it. Aside from any specific pairings or the region or characteristics of the wine you may be interested in, be advised that the "rules of wine" often focus on the main ingredient in a dish. To really open up the wine repertoire, ask specifically about the secondary or subtler components of the dish, because these could vastly change the kinds of recommendations your sommelier might suggest.
  
  For example, you might ask whether a red or white wine would go better with barbecued quail and mustard greens. Or more specifically, "Are there any young Riojas on the list that would work well with sea bass?", "Is there a dry German wine you have that isn't grassy?" or "What are your thoughts on this particular vintage of Viognier?" If you have specific preferences or curiosities, be sure to inform him of them.
  
  
• 2). Ask about your sommelier's current favorites.
  
  If there is only one tip you should follow, it is to ask your sommelier for insights into what he likes best "right now." While you don't have to order it, by asking this you will see your sommelier in his element, and see his genuine zest and passion for wine. Coupled with your preferences, his recommendation will give you a chance to explore wines you might never have known about AND take your dinner to a new level.
  
  To get a better feel for your tastes, your sommelier will likely ask you questions as well, such as what sorts of wines you have enjoyed in the past. If you have a particular region or flavor profile you wish to explore, by all means share that with him.
  
  
• 3). Ask the sommelier to pair your dinner with half-bottles.
  
  Half-bottles are a great way to sample what's out there and put your sommelier through his paces. Ask him to recommend several half-bottles to accompany each course. Half-bottles will help add nuance and variety to your dinner without requiring you to commit to the entire bottle.
  
  But don't go overboard. Half-bottles alone can rack up quite a bill. And the idea is to sample, not drink beyond capacity.
  
  
• 4). See what your sommelier recommends in smaller production wines.
  
  Small vineyards sometimes offer better value for money than larger, well-known vineyards. Ask your sommelier if he knows of any good bargains in these smaller scale wines.
  
  
• 5). Go online or app it.
  
  The UK-based Virtual Sommelier provides the essential services of a "real" sommelier. Just answer four simple questions about how much you want to spend, food type or flavor, color of wine and style of wine (by type, such as "bone dry" or "syrupy," or flavor, such as "flinty" or "toffee"). It will then generate a list of recommendations from its database. Simply click on the specific wine for further details, including country, grape varietal, body and alcohol content.
  
  For those with an iPad, Naples Tomato restaurant presents the Personal Sommelier. This application guides you through the wines on their list that will best enhance the dish you have selected from their menu. The recommendations are given by a real sommelier and delivered through the convenience of your device.