Atlanta's Miller Union and Athen's 5 & 10 were the two Georgia restaurants ranked on the list, both of which are "Hall of Fame" picks. Miller Union has five certified sommeliers on-staff, including Neal McCarthy who is the co-owner and general manager.
"The wine list at Miller Union has a strong focus on Biodynamic, Organic and Sustainable wines," said McCarthy. "We try to pour wines that are estate owned and operated with a heavy focus on the old world while incorporating the best of the new."
Wine Enthusiast's comments on the wine program:
The list is streamlined at 152 bottles, though there are 25 selections by the glass, focusing on boutique American and European wines that balance the menu's Southern-inspired fare. The program aims to showcase smaller producers who use biodynamic or organic farming practices.
"Athens is a college town, so we are blessed with a scholarly clientele that's open and eager to learn about wines they haven't heard of before," says Steven Grubbs, the wine director. "It allows us to play around a fair bit and constantly rotate unusual things in." The list is concise, at 83 wines by the bottle, but 82 percent of them are available for under $100. For by-the-glass drinkers, there are 21 selections on offer.
New picks in the South this year are Angus Barn in Raleigh, Underbelly in Houston and Azul in Miami, while Husk Restaurant in Charleston, The Barn at Blackberry Farm, and Proof on Main in Louisville made appearances as Hall of Fame picks.
What Atlanta restaurants do you think deserved a spot on the list? My pick is
About the Author
