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Fine Wines in Phoenix and Scottsdale

Many Restaurants in Greater Phoenix Offer Wonderful Wine Selections

By Judy Hedding, About.com

If you enjoy fine wines, there are plenty of restaurants in Arizona that can satisfy you! Each year Wine Spectator receives submissions and evaluates the wine lists of restaurants all over the country. There are three awards that are given to the restaurants that meet various criteria.

The Award of Excellence is given to a restaurant that has at least 100 choices on their wine list. The establishment offers a "well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style."

Restaurants earning the Best of Award of Excellence typically have at least 500 selections. The wine menu offers "either vintage depth, with vertical offerings of several top producers from major regions, or excellent breadth spread over several winegrowing regions."

In 2003 there were 36 local restaurants that were recognized for their excellent wine lists by Wine Spectator. In 2007, 47 Phoenix area restaurants received recognition for their fine wine offerings. Here they are, organized alphabetically by location.

Best Wine Lists in Chandler and Tempe

  1. Caffé Boa On Mill
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Tempe
  2. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Chandler
  3. Kai
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, Bordeaux, Burgundy
    Chandler

Best Wine Lists in Phoenixand Paradise Valley

  1. Capital Grille
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, Italy, Bordeaux
    Phoenix
  2. Compass Restaurant
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
  3. Cheuvront
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
  4. Christopher's Fermier Brasserie & Paola's Wine Bar
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: France, California
    Phoenix
  5. Different Pointe Of View
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Phoenix
  6. Donovan's Steak & Chop House
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, Rhône, Italy, Bordeaux
    Phoenix
  7. elements
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Paradise Valley
  8. Durant's
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
  9. Lon's At The Hermosa
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Paradise Valley
  10. Melting Pot
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Ahwatukee
  11. Meritage Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
  12. Morton's, The Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
  13. Ristorante Tuscany
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: Tuscany, California
    Phoenix
  14. Ruth's Chris Steak House
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
  15. T. Cook's
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Phoenix
  16. Tarbell's
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Phoenix
  17. Vincent Guerithault On Camelback
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: Bordeaux, California, Burgundy
    Phoenix
  18. Wright's
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, Brodeaux
    Phoenix

Best Wine Lists in Scottsdale, Carefree and Cave Creek

  1. Acacia
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Scottsdale
  2. Binkley's Restaurant
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Cave Creek
  3. Bloom
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  4. Capital Grille
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  5. Cartwright's Sonoran Ranch House
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Cave Creek
  6. Cowboy Ciao
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France, Australia, Italy
    Scottsdale
  7. Deseo
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Scottsdale
  8. Drinkwater's City Hall Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  9. Eddie V's Edgewater Grille
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  10. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  11. Kazimierz World Wine Bar
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France, Australia, Italy
    Scottsdale
  12. Mastro's Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  13. Melting Pot
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  14. Morton's, The Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  15. Mosaic
    Award of Excellence Wine Strengths: California, France
    Scottsdale
  16. Ocean Club Fish House
    Award of Excellence Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  17. Olive & Ivy
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, Spain
    Scottsdale
  18. Ruth's Chris Steak House
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  19. Sea Saw
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France, Australia, Italy
    Scottsdale
  20. Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  21. Terrace Dining Room
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  22. Tonto Bar & Grill
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Cave Creek
  23. Village Tavern
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  24. Vu
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Scottsdale
  25. Wildfish Seafood Grille
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
  26. Windows On The Green
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
Finally, the highest award given each year by Wine Spectator is the Grand Award. A restaurant that achieves Grand Award status has "1,500 selections or more, and feature serious breadth of top producers, outstanding depth in mature vintages, a selection of large-format bottles, excellent harmony with the menu and superior organization, presentation and wine service."

Only one restaurant in the Phoenix area was given the distinction of the Grand Award in 2007: Mary Elaine's at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale.

Congratulations to all the award winners. With all these restaurants to choose from, any wine enthusiast can find a wonderful place to enjoy fine food and a special wine to accompany the meal.

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