Three Denver restaurants — and one in Winter Park — are among the best in the country for their wine selection, according to Wine Enthusiast magazine.
The national publication on Thursday published its annual 100 best wine restaurants list, and Barolo Grill, Morin, Tavernetta and Deno’s Mountain Bistro all made the cut. They’re in the ranks of restaurants such as Alinea in Chicago, Republique in Los Angeles and Atomix in New York.
This is Barolo’s fourth consecutive year among the top 100 and Tavernetta’s second year in a row on the list. Morin just opened in the fall on downtown Denver’s 15th Street, and Deno’s opened in 1976 on Main Street in Winter Park.
Here’s why you’ll want to try each, according to the magazine.
Barolo has one of the largest Italian wine programs in the country, led by owner and advanced sommelier Ryan Fletter. Ask him about the Nebbiolo selection on your next visit, and check out his newest restaurant, Chow Morso in LoDo, which is more casual.
3030 E. 6th Ave., 303-393-1040; barologrilldenver.com; 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, until 10:30 Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday
Morin is pairing its playful French plates with mostly small, natural winemakers handpicked by wine director Mary Allison Wright, who also owns The Proper Pour bottle shop. At the restaurant, check out her menu cheat sheet with descriptors like “gulpable,” “rustic,” and “the funk.”
1600 15th St., 303-623-0534; morindenver.com; 3-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday
Tavernetta takes the spotlight on this list from its more-often award-winning older sister, Frasca. The Denver restaurant gets points for “educating guests about new-to-them wines,” according to the magazine. Wine director Carlin Karr is also getting ready for an entirely new selection at her team’s forthcoming restaurant and wine bar, Sunday Vinyl.
1889 16th St., 720-605-1889; tavernettadenver.com; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-10 p.m. Sunday
And Deno’s stocks more than 600 labels from its unassuming, 43-year home in Winter Park. Wine Enthusiast appreciated “lots of well-priced back-vintage bottles” at the former stagecoach stop.
78911 US-40, Winter Park, 970-726-5332; denoswp.com; 3-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 10 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday
