wine list

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A printed or digital menu showing the wines a restaurant or bar offers, usually with their prices.

   Grammar: Takes an article: a wine list, the wine list.

   Patterns

   • ask for the wine list
   • a wine list with something

   Could we see the wine list, please?

   The restaurant has an impressive wine list with many local wines.

   The waiter handed him the wine list to choose a bottle.

2. 2nouncountablebusiness

   A catalog of wines that a shop, importer or club has for sale.

   Grammar: Can describe a seller's range: the merchant's wine list.

   Patterns

   • a wine list from somewhere

   The importer sent us a new wine list for the autumn.

   The shop's wine list includes bottles from twelve countries.

   She read the wine list online before ordering a case.

Word forms

Common combinations

browse the wine list

We browsed the wine list while waiting for the starters.

an extensive wine list

The hotel has an extensive wine list.

order from the wine list

They ordered from the wine list without asking for advice.

a short wine list

A short wine list often means fresher stock.

ask for the wine list

Ask for the wine list when you sit down.

Synonyms and how they differ

wine menu

Wine menu is almost the same and is common in British English.

cellar list

Cellar list names bottles stored in a cellar, often older wines, so it is narrower.

drinks menu

Drinks menu covers all beverages, not just wine.

wine card

Wine card is more common in Europe and sounds slightly formal.

Word family

wine noun

an alcoholic drink made from grapes

list noun

a set of items written one after another

sommelier noun

a wine expert who serves guests in a restaurant

wine bar noun

a bar that mainly serves wine

Commonly confused: wine list or wine menu?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “wine list”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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