St. Louis Food Blog

Whew, ~scape has some pretty high wine prices. $37 for Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viogner is pretty high, considering it is generally about $13 in stores, and $30 for Veramonte SB is awfully high. I've seen it on sale for $8-$9. Not a lot of creativity there, either. The Michele Chiarlo Barbera is an interesting wine, and I'm glad they have Chenin Blanc on the list too, but it's not making me get excited, by any means.

I shouldn't expect different at a place like that, Ian, but it would be nice to see a restaurant have a more aggressive pricing program in place. I guess Starr's would count, they'll let you pick out a bottle in the store and drink it there for $8 (and nothing if it is over $50), but they only offer a few wines by the glass.

Anyone know of restaurants that have a more innovative wine list in town? I like to try different stuff, but I can't afford to buy off the top end of many lists.

I read that story again last night, Ian. It helps to explain some, but that's at the other end of the wine list from where I do my choosing. After thinking about it a little, the best wine experience in town I can recall is at Acero (nice choice this year, RFT!). Even though it is all Italian, it's much easier to sample wines with the option of a quartino. I bet they're making more money on wine than most restaurants in town, too.

I've been especially disappointed in the wine choices at Balaban's and An American Place (which only has domestic wines, but is pretty standard, featuring Cab, merlot, pinot noir, and "other reds"). I had a hard time finding something for less than $60 at AAP, which isn't that low of a price point.

I know that stlhops.com recently brought up this question with regards to creativity in beer menus locally too.