French restaurants: Ordering without looking like a dolt

Particularly on white wines, screw tops are the most common here, expected, really.

The other day I was complaining that I couldn't get the top off the white I was trying to open. Someone had a look, and reminded me that some wines still do need a corkscrew! Oh!

OK, so screw tops are making the big time.
Now, what about those box thingies?

You mean like this?

er...
no

Responding three pages late, re Vietnamese food in Albuquerque, JL - not my first Vietnamese food, but my first in a long time. My enjoyment of Vietnamese cooking is a close runner up to my love of classic italian cooking...

Re wine with that, er, our pal who is a Vietnamese cook used to serve us 'special tea' - Remy Martin cognac in small stainless steel teapots.

Easier than screw tops or corks...

Yes, Osso. Good Vietnamese food IS cuisine. We have a little place around the corner that serves up a mystical experience. Too bad we don't go there more often. A real mystery when I think of it.