2013Wine List Awards
Sip Sip, Hooray! The Fort Worth area is not all about being trendy or cosmopolitan, but when it comes to wine, these restaurant wine lists would be winners in any city.
by Renie Steves
No matter what your dining mood, from elegant or cozy to trendy or casual, these wine lists were selected from the many restaurants that applied. Our judges, a sommelier, wine seller, wine consultant and wine journalist, chose 10 as having Superior wine lists with the remaining places receiving Awards for Excellence or as Choice.
Wine lists were and are designed to show the character and make a personal statement about the restaurant. Bigger does not necessarily mean better, but ample choices in tastes and prices need to be offered. Organization is key. In the 80s, fine dining restaurants had large, thick, pretentious, leather-bound lists. Today many have progressed to shortening and simplifying the list to "whites" and "reds" or categorizing by varietal. The latest innovation is easily updated digital lists on tablets.
Wine training of the staff pays off for all concerned, perhaps more than in any other phase of restaurant operation. Sales escalate and everybody wins. Although there are exceptions to these titles, wine directors/sommeliers work in restaurants. Whether officially certified or not, wine specialists at these restaurants are very well-versed and dedicated to providing detailed training to wait staff and extraordinary dining for customers searching for the perfect food and wine match.
Enthusiasm for wine is infectious. It spreads through the restaurant, and the passion is felt by customers.
Superior Award (highest level): Typically offers more than 500 selections; features a broad range of top producers and mature vintages; excellent harmony with food menu; superior organization, presentation and wine service.
Award of Excellence: Typically offers 200 or more wines; vintage depth; range of several winegrowing regions; superior presentation.
Choice Award: Offers at least 50 wines; well-chosen selection of quality producers; adequate match to the food menu in both price and style.
Texas Wines
We have a dream that involves help from a lot of vino-loving people. Let's encourage Fort Worth dining establishments to take the lead on offering Texas wines. Tourists will buy Texas wines because they are curious, while locals buy them because the price is right. The choice is huge - there are 275 wineries in Texas. Texas winemakers have finally figured out what varietals thrive in our climate and terroir...Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Viognier.
Restaurants, with minimal investment, could offer one white and one red by the glass. Wine lovers thirst for suggestions, so place an unopened bottle of each on the bar as a showpiece. Spread the wealth and change the winery and varietals often.
If customers don't see a Texas wine on the list, ask for one. In turn, if the winery has an adequate amount of product, they should get a distributor or have a self-distribution system. To make this happen, wineries, distributors and restaurants have to work together toward the goal of increasing visibility of Texas wines. As one judge said, "Restaurants need to step up to the plate for Texas wines."
National publications are laying groundwork to make this easier. In 2012 AARP listed Texas Hill Country as the No. 1 wine destination outside of California. This year Redbook named Texas Hill Country as one of the top 10 wine destinations in America.
Kudos to Bonnell's for having 12 Texas wines on its list! Capital Grille Fort Worth is planning a Texas section with a choice of five selections on its list. Surprisingly, only half the restaurants in this article have one or more Texas wine offerings.
Many Fort Worth area restaurants scream "Texas" in decor and menu. Pairing Texas wine with dinner would make the circle complete.
To read aboutTimes Ten Cellars is a full-fledged grape-to-glass operation CLICK HERE.
To see some cool wind gadgets and gizmos CLICK HERE.
For a Novice's Guide to Wine CLICK HERE.
To see whata panel of local wine aficionados think CLICK HERE.
