Restaurant Wine (Jan/Feb 2006)

Issue 111: Wine Awards Issue

Special Feature

On-Premise Wine Marketer of the Year award, given to this Florida-based beverage manager, who oversees the wine program at all five of this company’s units. The company’s concept is “fresh, flavorful, and casual”, but its wine program is easily among the most impressive we have ever seen in a casual restaurant, and better than those at many restaurants with much higher check averages.

Winery of the Year

We've followed the wines from this well-known producer for a decade, and continue to be impressed with their consistency, quality, and value. One of the first large wineries in the world to convert to all-screw-cap closures on its entire product line (including reds), it is a dynamic winery that truly seems to put quality first. (In this issue, we recommend 12 of its current releases.)

2006 On-Premise Wine Forecast

We make our prediction on the direction and scope of on-premise wine sales in 2006. We also identify varietals and wine types likely to increase in popularity in USA restaurants this year, and provide reasons why.

Wine Recommendations

149 wines from eight countries, including top 2003 Vintage Portos; a selection of excellent 2003 and 2004 Chardonnays from California; fine Cabernets from Washington and California; outstanding 2003 Pinot Noirs from Oregon and California; great new discoveries (both white and red) from Argentina, Australia, Italy, and New Zealand; and delicious white wines from France and Germany.