About Making a Great Wine List
We at bridges take our wines seriously. Creating and managing the extensive wine list is one of the main tasks of our Sommelier for the three outlets for wine–the dining room, the DIVINE wine bar and the retail wine cellar/shop. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed, bridges has received the coveted Wine Spectator Award for several years in a row now! So what are the challenges in making a great list and picking the right wines in Bali?
First, we think that the wine list should express our love for this amazing drink. Naturally, the wine list must complement the food on our menu; it should be interesting, clear, focused, easy to understand, informative and offer many options to choose from. And it needs to consider the many different wine drinkers and their varying tastes and budgets. The list should also be a little bit adventurous and inspire to explore something new. Here in Bali, the government tax policy also plays a role and can set limitations to the offering, the same goes for the constant availability of the wines.
With over 350 labels in our cellar, we feel quite confident that we have covered the variety issue well and as we use a modest margin, there is a wide choice of good, affordable wines as well. One of our Sommelier’s goals is to offer an interesting choice of wines by the glass and he is also conducting weekly thematic wine tasting Masterclasses with the opportunity to taste five wines and get insights to broaden one’s wine knowledge. A very popular event taking place every Friday in the wine cellar.
It gives such a pleasure to propose the perfect wine to the meal chosen by the guests, to create wonderful harmony. Our Sommelier loves to talk wine with the guests, to find out their preferences, what are they looking for in the wine to make their dining experience memorable. He also puts great emphasis on regularly training the wait staff about all things wine, not always an easy task considering that many of them do not drink or even like wine!
At your next visit, take time to study our extensive wine list and have a chat with our Sommelier.
See our wine menus here
DIVINE Fridays
Wine Tasting Masterclass