Regulations for Wine by the Glass.

The practice of serving wine by the glass is becoming increasingly widespread. As a result, it is subject to regulations designed to prevent abuse and preserve product quality while protecting producers, retailers, and consumers.

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A liquor license: a must-have for selling wine by the glass

To sell wine by the glass, you must hold a Class III license, known as a "restricted license" for bars or a "small restaurant license." In short, this license allows you to sell non-distilled fermented beverages: wine, beer, cider, etc.

Good to know: This used to be the Level II license, which was merged with the Level III license in 2015. Level II licenses that were valid at the time were therefore automatically converted to Level III licenses.

What the law requires to be on your card

The law on wine by the glass stipulates that the wine-by-the-glass menu must adhere to certain rules. Specifically, it must clearly indicate the origin of each bottle, the exact volume served, and the price of the wine. This is set forth inArticle 16 of the law of July 30, 1935:

“Art. 16 – In bars, buffets, restaurants, and, generally speaking, in all establishments where beverages are sold for consumption on the premises or to go, the capacity of bottles other than original bottles, carafes, vials, glasses, and other containers in use must be engraved on the containers themselves, expressed in liters, deciliters, or centiliters. »

Thus, the same strict standards apply to this menu as to a wine list featuring wines by the bottle. Any violation of this law is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to €37,500.

What serving size should be used, and how should it be indicated?

Serving wine by the glass raises the question of portion size: how much should be served?

Section 16 of the Act of July 30, 1935, stipulates that wine glasses must be marked with their capacity in centiliters or deciliters. Therefore, you must ensure that the capacity is clearly displayed on each of your glasses in a visible location. This reassures customers about the quantity of beverage served, allowing them to verify that it matches the volume listed on the menu.

To determine how much wine to serve a customer, you need to consider the price per glass, the wine’s quality, and its specific label… It’s a delicate balance between serving too much and not enough.

Be careful not to drink too much, as this could cause your blood alcohol level to exceed the legal limit set by the Highway Code.

Wine glasses typically hold between 8 and 14 cl.

What is the capacity of a balloon glass?

Alsace glasses, Bordeaux glasses, flutes… As you probably know, there are several types of wine glasses; perhaps you’ve even opted for a balloon glass. But do you know how much this stemmed glass holds? A balloon glass typically holds 12.5 cl.

What is the capacity of a champagne glass?

If you decide to open a bottle of champagne, choose the right glass—a flute or a champagne glass. These glasses hold about 12.5 cl.

How much wine per person?

To estimate how much wine to serve per person, allow for about 3 glasses, which works out to 1 bottle for two people, assuming moderate consumption.

Choosing the right glass for each wine

Serving wine by the glass is great, but you still need to choose the perfect glass to enhance the tasting experience! Here are our suggestions for serving your alcoholic beverages.

Which glass should you choose for a wine tasting?

The most experienced wine tasters will tell you that the glass plays a crucial role in tasting a bottle of wine. Not all types of glasses are suitable for all types of wine.

Here are a few tips to help your customers enjoy their wine to the fullest when ordering by the glass. First, we recommend using a stemmed glass. Why? Holding the glass by the stem prevents your hands from warming the wine, since you’re not touching it directly.

The choice of glass can also depend on the color of the wine. For red wine—especially if you’ve set your sights on a bottle of Burgundy or Bordeaux—you might want to choose a glass that’s fairly large but narrows toward the top, to facilitate aeration and enhance the release of aromas.

If you want to enjoy a white wine, you can choose a smaller, tulip-shaped glass to help maintain its temperature. This type of glass will easily release the aromas.

Finally, if you’re serving sparkling wine, opt for a flute or a champagne glass: their long stems will showcase the bubbles.

If you’ve decided to serve wine by the glass but are still unsure about which glasses to choose, we highly recommend Riedel crystal glasses.

In summary

There are two key rules, established by the DGCCRF, that must be followed to comply with the law when serving wine by the glass. It is essential to:

• Indicate on the wine list the wine’s origin (local wine, AOC, etc.), the serving size, and the price
• Serve the wine in a container (glass, decanter, bottle, etc.) marked with an engraved measurement indicating its capacity. This allows the customer to verify that the amount matches what is listed on the menu.