That’s exactly what I was thinking when I read it.
Completely agree. I’ve heard ‘Africa comincia a Roma’ more than once (Africa begins in Rome).
We are luckier here, A16 has made people aware of how good the wines from the south of Italy can be.
Roberto–I’m sure you understand the difference between a Northern Italian expressing regional disdain for Southern Italy, and an American expressing disdain for wines from Southern Italy. In the latter, it’s likely the case that the American thinks that the only great/worthy Italian wines are from places such as Tuscany and the Piedmont; it’s really not a “racist” commentary at all.
Bruce
Just like the disdain Northern Cali has for Southern.
Texas Law is screwy in regards to BYOB. If the restaurant has a beer and wine license, they can do it. If they have a full liquor license, no dice.
That being said, in Houston we are fortunate to have a healthy number of quality restaurants with excellent wine pricing. Ibiza, Underbelly, Coppa, Reef, Mezzanote, Piqueo, benjy’s and others have lists that are dominated with pricing roughly 2x wholesale. As a result, these are some of the restaurants we frequent with great regularity. There’s nothing better than seeing a wine on a list selling for $42 that I saw for $39 at retail earlier that day. (2008 Storybrook Mountain Eastern Exposures Zinfandel). On the flip side, seeing a 2008 Williams Selyem Sonoma County Pinot listed at $229 which I purchased at $34 on the mailing list is insulting.
Check out the following wine list and read their philosophy so that when you get to the BYOB policy it can be read in context. While out of context it would seem a little edgy and abrasive (especially for Houston), the point is well taken. I’ve discovered some really great wines there as a result and have yet to take a bottle. Based on a conversation with the sommelier, I may take one the next visit purely because I made him aware of a producer he had limited exposure to and was interested in trying. http://underbellyhouston.com/pdfs/Underbelly-Wine-Menu.pdf
Monte
What a clever and interesting list!
From that list:
Dama del Rovere Durello Brut, Brognoligo di Monteforte d’Alpone, Veneto
BRAVO!!!
Love that list Monte. Contents, attitude, design, everything. Fun stuff.
+1. Now that’s how you get folks to order off your wine list. My only complaint with that list is that it’s mostly new/current releases. Still, it’s a list I’d happily order from time and time again.
You beat me to it.
I still dine out quite a bit, but more and more I will have a beer before the meal comes, and a glass of wine with the meal. I think even 2x retail is high, yet more and more I see 3-4x.
Do retail x 1.5 and I am a buyer anytime. Some places do it, and I appreciate it. If I buy an app, and 2 entrees, and maybe some coffee after - one would think $20-30 profit on a bottle of wine would be plenty.
This is where I recently arrived at. I can do a really good steak on the grill for $20, so paying $50 for one in a restaurant is no loner satisfying. I am just getting there with scallops as well. I am not as great with a good piece of fish, so do something wonderful with a piece of halibut or salmon and I am all over it.
Once? Ramon, you’ve been part of our tasting group for years. But at least I’m not morbidly skinny! Whew.
Monte, at a restaurant with a list like that I’m buying off list every time (except maybe a special occasion when I want an older bottle, especially if anniversary year, etc).
Put me in camp of “charge what you want for corkage, but treat me with respect if I take you up on it”
I always thought that corkage=margin on your 2nd cheapest wine is a decent compromise, hey you’re better off than if I ordered cheapest.
The restaurant opened earlier this year on March 5th. I’m sure that contributes to the relative lack of more mature offerings.
The sommelier, Matthew Pridgen, has been in the restaurant every night I have been there and he has trained the serving staff.
If more restaurants used an approach that encouraged purchasing wine rather than pricing their collection for wine-geek window shopping, there wouldn’t be the need for even most of the people who read this board to BYOB for anything other than the occasional special bottle or off-line. Since my wife and I like to have wine with a good meal, we chose to patronize those places where we can do that without breaking the bank. Even if it is only 10% of the restaurants on Open Table, I’d rather patronize the places that allow me to enjoy wine with my meal.
Monte
I will have to try that one simply based on your recommendation.
Monte
Perhaps the most mineral driven sparkler made in Italy. Durello is the grape. Usually it comes from Lessini, this one seems to be in the Soave zona but should still rock (literally).
I have only BYO’ed a few times and have never had an issue from the waiter. I always ask them if they would like a taste too which seems to help. I BYO only because we want to drink a more expensive bottle than we are willing to buy when going out. I am willing to pay $60 for a bottle that is only worth $30 at a restaurant but I will not pay $150 for a $75 bottle. It gets into the whole diminishing returns thing.
Honestly I don’t mind a young list as long as it’s interesting. To me, that’s something that I can rectify by bringing my own aged wines if I decide I’d like one with their food.
Monte,
I completely agree with your position if you have places like Underbelly to frequent. You should try the '10 Merriman pinot the next time you are there. I am amazed that it is on the list (only 68 cases made) and only 10% above the winery’s release price. Plus it is incredible wine to boot!
Cheers,
Mark
May work in Australia where the government is allowed to rip off their citizens through exorbitant taxes on sin items such as alcohol and tobacco, but $100 a head in Napa will shorten the life of a restaurant.
If the average dinner, (appetizer, salad, entree and dessert), is $40 - $50 per person, wines should be priced near retail. $51 to $75 per person, 10 to 20 percent over retail; $75 -$100 per person 30 to 50 percent over retail. $101 per person and above, it doesn’t matter because anybody that would pay those prices can afford it, enjoy it, look forward to it and expect to pay equivalent prices for their wine.