How to offer wine by the glass in a restaurant?
Quick answer
Offering wine by the glass means selecting 6-12 references covering key styles (dry white, light red, full red, rosé, sparkling), using a proper preservation system (Coravin, nitrogen, or fast rotation), and pricing each glass at roughly 1/4 to 1/5 of the bottle price. By-the-glass sales typically account for 30-40% of wine revenue in a well-run restaurant.
Detailed answer
Wine by the glass has become essential in modern restaurants. Guests want flexibility — a different wine with each course, a single glass instead of a full bottle, or simply the chance to explore.
A balanced by-the-glass programme has 6-12 wines: 2 whites (one crisp like Chablis or Riesling, one rounder like oaked Chardonnay or Viognier), 3 reds (a light Pinot Noir, a medium Côtes-du-Rhône, a bold Shiraz or Ribera del Duero), a seasonal rosé, and 1-2 sparkling options (Champagne and/or Crémant). Consider a dessert wine too.
Pricing rule of thumb: a 150ml glass should roughly cover the cost of the whole bottle. That means pricing at about 1/4 to 1/5 of the bottle price. A EUR 28 bottle poured at EUR 6-7 per glass yields EUR 30-35 over five glasses — better margin than selling the bottle whole.
Preservation is the make-or-break factor. Three main options: Coravin (EUR 300-400 investment, needle extraction without pulling the cork), nitrogen/argon spray like Winesave (EUR 20, keeps wine fresh 3-5 days), or fast rotation (finish every open bottle within 24-48 hours).
Presentation matters. Use a visible chalkboard near the entrance, a dedicated section on the menu, or a separate by-the-glass card. Rotating your glass pours weekly keeps regulars coming back to see what is new.
| Wine style | Example reference | Suggested glass price | Open-bottle shelf life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crisp white | Chablis, Alsace Riesling | EUR 6 - 8 | 3-4 days (nitrogen) |
| Round white | Burgundy Chardonnay, Viognier | EUR 7 - 10 | 3-4 days (nitrogen) |
| Light red | Burgundy Pinot Noir, Gamay | EUR 6 - 9 | 2-3 days |
| Full-bodied red | Châteauneuf, Ribera del Duero | EUR 8 - 12 | 3-5 days |
| Rosé | Provence, Navarra | EUR 6 - 8 | 2 days max |
| Sparkling | Champagne, Crémant | EUR 8 - 14 | 24h (hermetic stopper) |