Cellar Rats - Wine Lists Reviewed » West Village

Anfora

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:50:53 +0000

Zampa Winebar + Kitchen

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:03:34 +0000

Del Posto

admin — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:29:53 +0000

Upholstery Store

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 19:29:28 +0000

The Upholstery Store may be the most diminutive establishment within Kurt Gutenbrunner’s Austrian-themed restaurant group, but the wine list aims global. A small number of selections come from the domains of the former Austrio-Hungarian empire, with the remaining 30+ bottles hailing from across the New World and Europe.

Short and topical, the list rarely delves beyond more than a handful of wines for a particular region, instead focusing on discriminating selections from a variety of locations, and all at modest prices.

Wine is served in small, vintage glassware (no stems here), a fashion that will either delight or displease. Although pour prices were in line with the area, the pours themselves did seem to bit less than the standard 4 ounces.

On the upside, the Upholstery Store serves delicious nibbles, but unlike so many wine bars, manages to still feel more bar than restaurant – all in all a fine place to sit, sip, and wait for a table next door.

Spotted Pig

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 19:06:02 +0000

Lelabar

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 18:55:31 +0000

Gottino

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:56:39 +0000

The purity of the place strikes first – white marble bar, sparkling stemware, bottles arranged in tight formation, mirror polished to windowpane perfect. Bowties. Fitted white shirts. And lights tuned a notch or two above the neighborhoods standard of brightness.

In a word, Gottino brings it in it’s own authentic and distinctive way, and in doing so manages to say, in 60 bottles or less, more about the potential quality and expression of Italian wine than many of it’s competitors say with 100’s.

For all the quality, the list is moderately priced – over half the bottles cost less than $50 with only a handful over $100 – and all Italian, touching on most of Italy’s wine regions, from extreme north to far south.

About half the bottles are also available by the glass including many of the most exciting, interesting, and obscure selections - no need to settle for Pinot Grigio just because your mood is by-the-glass.

Note: Don’t overlook the chalkboard specials.

dell’anima

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:02:30 +0000

Dell’anima’s food has received glowing accolades; enough good can’t be said about their wine list either. Compact yet comprehensive, all Italian – in a good way – and focused on highlighting Italy’s most talented, as well as often overlooked, wine producers. Traverse Italy’s myriad regions, producers and varietals without fear or trepidation. Dell’anima provides a high quality safety net.
Looking for something different? Try a white served at red wine temperature or chilled red from the north of Italy. Prices aren’t bad either. Quality exists at every price point. Don’t be surprised if your $12 glass drinks like a $20.
Overall, prepare to be impressed by each by-the-glass selection as well as a host of exciting bottles, both curious and rare as well as standards and classics. Expect the unexpected and expect to enjoy it.

Hundred Acres

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:18:04 +0000