ANÁLISE DAS CARTAS DE VINHOS DE RESTAURANTES DA CIDADE DE JOÃO PESSOA/PB

Abstract

The consumption of wine is related to the sensation of pleasure and social well-being and the Wine List is a valuable tool through which customers can obtain information when choosing this drink to accompany their meal, making their gastronomic experience more intense and enjoyable. This is a descriptive, quantitative study that collected data through field research. Its main objective was to analyze the organization of the wine lists of restaurants in João Pessoa/PB, based on the list of ABRASEL/PB members. The sample consisted of twenty-one restaurants and similar establishments which had their wine lists evaluated in relation to eleven criteria widely recognized in the literature for an excellent wine list. In addition, data was collected on the existence of national and Vale do São Francisco (VSF) labels and on the work of sommeliers. The main conclusions point to the need to improve the wine lists, since a large proportion of them are incomplete, despite the fact that all of them are in line with the restaurant's proposal, have a versatile wine and one with greater complexity; and more than 90% provide basic information. With regard to origin, only 10.1% of the wines are of national origin and, of these, only 7.2% are wines produced in the VSF, with only one red wine label. Sommeliers were found in 9.5% of the establishments and 42.9% of the menus surveyed were prepared by them. The wine lists are available in digital format in 85.7% of the establishments surveyed, but only one offers suggestions for pairings. Just over half of the establishments report that they guide customers when choosing wine. These results show, in general, that important improvements need to be made to wine lists in most restaurants; that there is a huge consumer market for national wines, including those from the VSF, and that the role of the sommelier - which is still very limited - can and should be encouraged in restaurants. A sustainable increase in the consumption of national wines, especially those produced in the VSF, could boost the wine industry and consequently increase employment, tax collection and regional development