Area restaurants recognized among world’s best for wine

Finding a place to drink great wine close to home or around the globe has never been so easy.

Wine Spectator has uncorked the winners of its 2019 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world’s best restaurants for wine. This year, the Restaurant Awards program honored six southern Delaware dining destinations among a total of 3,800 from all 50 U.S. states and 79 countries internationally.

Recognizing restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers, the Award of Excellence went to Rehoboth Beach’s Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar, Cuvee Ray Wine Bar and Restaurant, Eden, and Lupo Italian Kitchen; Selbyville’s Catch 54; and Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar in Bethany Beach. Lupo, Catch 54 and both Bluecoast locations are SoDel Concepts entities advised by Wine Director Mike Zygmonski.

“We’re pleased to shine a spotlight on the destinations around the world that show devotion to their wine program, while also creating a comprehensive global dining guide for our readers to enjoy,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Wine Spectator editor and publisher. “Both novice wine lovers and seasoned sommeliers alike actively seek and frequent restaurants with exciting, well-curated wine lists. Bravo to all the 2019 recipients – we raise a glass to you.”

All winners are profiled at Restaurants.WineSpectator.com and in the Restaurant Awards app. The app, available free on the App store, allows iPhone and iPad users to find nearby award-winning restaurants, with maps plus helpful information about cuisine, wine and pricing.

The full list of award winners is available in print in Wine Spectator’s August issue, on newsstands Tuesday, July 16.