Wine & Spirits

1. Má ég sjá vínlistann?

   May I see the wine list?

   Usage

   Ask the waiter for the wine list at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Vínlisti" is a masculine compound of "vín" (wine) and "listi" (list); with the article its accusative is "vínlistann"

2. Getið þið mælt með góðu víni?

   Could you recommend a good wine?

   Usage

   Ask the staff to choose a good bottle for you

   Grammar Note

   "Mæla með" takes the dative, so "vín" (neuter) appears as "víni" and the adjective as the neuter dative "góðu"

3. Má ég fá glas af rauðvíni?

   May I have a glass of red wine?

   Usage

   Use it when ordering red wine by the glass

   Grammar Note

   After "glas af" comes the dative, so "rauðvín" (neuter) becomes "rauðvíni". "Má ég fá ...?" is the standard "may I have ...?"

4. Getum við fengið flösku af hvítvíni?

   Could we have a bottle of white wine?

   Usage

   Order a whole bottle for the table

   Grammar Note

   "Flaska" is feminine, with the accusative "flösku". "Af" is followed by the dative, so "hvítvín" becomes "hvítvíni"

5. Hvað passar vel með þessum rétti?

   What goes well with this dish?

   Usage

   Ask which wine or drink suits the dish

   Grammar Note

   "Passa með" means "to go with", and "með" takes the dative. "Réttur" (dish) is masculine, giving "þessum rétti"

6. Hvert er áfengismagnið?

   What is the alcohol content?

   Usage

   Ask how strong a drink is

   Grammar Note

   "Áfengismagn" is a neuter compound of "áfengi" (alcohol) and "magn" (amount); with the article it is "áfengismagnið". The question word is neuter "hvert"

7. Getið þið mælt með íslenskum bjór?

   Can you recommend an Icelandic beer?

   Usage

   Ask a bar or restaurant for a local beer

   Grammar Note

   "Mæla með" takes the dative, so the adjective takes the masculine dative "íslenskum". "Bjór" is masculine and its dative looks the same. Adjectives of nationality are not capitalised

8. Mig langar að fara í vínsmökkun.

   I'd like to go on a wine tasting.

   Usage

   Use it when looking for a place or event with tastings

   Grammar Note

   "Í" takes the accusative for motion, and "vínsmökkun" is feminine with the same accusative form. "Mig langar" has an accusative subject

9. Er hægt að smakka nokkrar tegundir?

   Can I taste a few kinds?

   Usage

   Ask to try several kinds before choosing

   Grammar Note

   "Tegund" is feminine, with the accusative plural "tegundir". "Nokkrar" is the feminine plural meaning "several"

10. Ekki of sætt, takk.

    Not too sweet, please.

    Usage

    State your preference for a less sweet drink

    Grammar Note

    "Sætt" is the neuter of "sætur". When ordering, the final "takk" does the job of "please"

11. Frá hvaða landi er þetta vín?

    Which country is this wine from?

    Usage

    Ask which country a wine comes from; Iceland has no wine regions of its own

    Grammar Note

    "Frá" takes the dative, and "land" (country) is neuter, giving "landi". "Þetta" is neuter to agree with "vín"

12. Skál!

    Cheers!

    Usage

    Say it when clinking glasses

    Grammar Note

    "Skál" is a feminine noun that originally means "bowl", used as the toast

13. Er vínið kalt?

    Is the wine chilled?

    Usage

    Check that a white or sparkling wine is served cold

    Grammar Note

    "Vín" is neuter, and with the article it is "vínið". The adjective "kaldur" takes the neuter form "kalt"

14. Eruð þið með óáfenga drykki?

    Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?

    Usage

    Ask for alcohol-free options

    Grammar Note

    "Drykkur" is masculine, with the accusative plural "drykki". The adjective "óáfengur" takes the masculine accusative plural "óáfenga"

15. Hvar er næsta vínbúð?

    Where is the nearest wine shop?

    Usage

    In Iceland wine and spirits are usually bought at the state-run shops called "Vínbúðin"

    Grammar Note

    "Vínbúð" is a feminine compound of "vín" (wine) and "búð" (shop). The state-run chain's name, "Vínbúðin", has the article and a capital letter

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