Restaurant Wine Lists: Wines You Can Rely On (Info for My Dear ;))

Just the other day, I wrote a piece on common wines found on restaurant wine lists that should be avoided at all costs. Many were wines that are well branded but their quality rarely lives up to their reputation. Below, I flip the coin over. Here are a list of wines, many of which you’ll easily find on restaurant wine lists, that are reliable options to fall back on. When you’re spending the big bucks while dining out (sometimes three times the retail price), it’s nice to take comfort in knowing that a high-quality wine awaits you.

Restaurant wines to trust

DOMAINE ZIND-HUMBRECHT (PINOT GRIS OR PINOT BLANC): This producer is the most underrated wine house in the world. It’s known in Europe; however, it’s severely overlooked in the U.S.

It has wine making down to a fine art, as year after year, it produces some of the most food-friendly, fragrant and supple white wines out there. They pair perfectly with lighter fare.

ROBERT STEMMLER, MERRY EDWARDS & LEMELSON (PINOT NOIR): All three create wines of elegance and structure. For the price, I feel they offer some of the best Pinots available anywhere.

TURLEY & ROBERT BIALE (ZINFANDEL): These are everything a Zinfandel should be: big and bold, but possessing structure, class and depth. They also age well and have nice balance and acidity to accompany a meal.

CAYMUS & DUNN VINEYARDS (CABERNET): You never have to worry about quality with these wines. If you’re questioning which wine to get and they’re within your price range, you’ll leave smiling.

JUSTIN ISOSCELES (MERITAGE): My favorite high-end value wine. You can normally find it on a list for anywhere from $90 to $120; however, it drinks like a wine that’s considerably more expensive.

I’d look for the 2005, as it’s phenomenal, yet the 2006 isn’t too big a drop-off. If you’re ordering a prime cut of beef, pair this with your dinner for a truly wonderful experience.

Don't leave it up to chance

I hope this helps you the next time you’re looking at a wine list and thinking, “Is this bottle worth it?” I urge you to do a little research if you plan to have a bottle while dining out. Look at the menu and wine list online. If there are a couple of bottles in which you’re interested, run them through Cork’d to learn what others thought.

You wouldn’t buy a $60 pair of jeans or a $250 suit without trying them on first, would you? Then why pay $60 to $250 (or higher) for a bottle of wine without knowing if they’re any good? Don’t forget that wine is all relative to your personal taste. However, a little information and guidance can go a long way in helping you avoid a poor wine experience.