This is part of a series. If you haven’t read the introduction yet, start here: https://hautdegamme.net/2026/08/07/the-curious-drinkers-guide-to-wine-advice-from-writers-sommeliers-and-insiders/

The introduction explains why wine curiosity matters, why restaurants are losing wine expertise, and how you can become an explorer rather than defaulting to what you already know. Each contributor in the series shares a different approach to discovering wine.

Melinda Joe shares her practical modern tool:

Checking the wine list before you visit is always a great habit. I know I’ll probably get a lot of flak for saying this, but one hack worth trying, especially if the list is not too extensive but you’re still not that familiar with the offerings, is to take photos of the list and then upload them to ChatGPT, along with what you’re planning to eat, your general style preferences and budget. This can help you narrow down your choices, and generally speaking the advice will be pretty good if not surprising. But it gives you a decent starting point to discuss directly with the sommelier.

Melinda Joe is an American journalist who has spent nearly twenty years in Tokyo, writing about food, drinks, and travel around the world for The Japan Times, Condé Nast Traveller, Nikkei Asia, The New York Times, and the BBC. She holds a WSET certification and is one of the Tokyo ambassadors for Star Wine Lists.