Keep an appointment.
Always make a reservation. Standing in line or hunching over a bar while waiting for a table only tells your guest you are not very organized or time-efficient, and that you may just keep her waiting in other areas, too.  

Conquer the wine list.
Restaurants aren’t in the business of testing you on your wine knowledge. They want to sell you a bottle of wine and make it fairly easy to do so. The wine list is usually categorized by type or region. Also, many menus will suggest wines to compliment a dish. If you are unsure about wine, choose the recommended selection.

Follow wine etiquette.
If the server puts the cork in front of you, simply pick it up and sniff it gingerly. Only if you detect vinegar or an off odor would you mention it. Otherwise just smile and nod your head in agreement. Make sure that you allow any red wines about 15 minutes of airtime before you drink them. This will help them mellow and taste better.