01/31/05 Tipping wines

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and on today's program we are answering your email questions. Our question last week prompted a listener to write "I heard your answer about hosting a business dinner and insuring that the server is aware that you are the host and wish to order the wine. I am concerned about tipping on the wine. Can you help me?" In a restaurant situation knowing who and how much to tip for your wine and wine service sometimes takes a bit of thought. But realize, in many restaurants, if you are a party of six or more they will include a gratuity charge of 15  20% on your bill. If this is the practice it is usually stated somewhere on the menu and should be clearly indicated on the bill. If you are uncertain - ask. If you were waited on by one server, who also recommended and served your wine, then leave your customary tip on the entire amount of the bill before taxes were added. If you brought your own wine, and glasses, opening and pouring services were provided, take this into consideration and increase your gratuity. Add the amount that you would have paid for wine to the amount of the bill and tip on that total. If a sommelier or wine steward was involved in your wine service, giving you good information and advice while helping you to make your selection, then you may want to divide the wine from the food and tip the server and the wine steward separately. When in doubt as to what is customary in the restaurant  just ask. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at Vine to Wine dot net and thanks you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.