6 Surprising Wines That Every Menu Should Have

Having a sommelier-created wine list at your restaurant isn’t always doable. The responsibility of curating wine often passes to the restaurant manager or owner. With hundreds of wine and food pairings, it’s difficult to find varieties that complement your dishes and delight your customers.

You want the wine to be profitable for your restaurant and exciting for your customers. Several of these wines aren’t on many restaurant wine lists, which means adding them to your restaurant will be a pleasant surprise for customers. It’ll also set you apart from other nearby restaurants by providing a more adventurous wining and dining experience.

Adega de Vila Real Reserva

Vanilla and new wood fulfill this Portuguese red-bodied wine. Red berry fruit accents linger behind. While fruity, it’s well-balanced with good acidity and attractive tannins. It comes from Douro, Portugal, and is available at DMV Distributing.

Awards: 90 points Wine Enthusiast; No. 59 Top 100 “Best Buys”

Pair with: Cured or grilled meats

Colossal Reserva

This sleek, satisfying red wine offers notes of boysenberry and plum with accents of smoky mineral and dried herb with a savory spice finish. Touriga Nacional, Syrah, and Alicante Bouschet grapes are combined to create Colossal Reserva. Available at DMV Distributing.

Awards: 90 points Wine Spectator; No. 60 Top 100 of 2017

Pair with: Pasta, poultry, beef, or veal

Confidencial Reserve Tinto

This dynamic, complex Portuguese red wine blend incorporates Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo grapes. It’s perfectly balanced and features earthy wood notes that accent the summer berry flavors and fine tannins. Available at DMV Distributing.

Awards: 92 points Wine Enthusiast

Pair with: Substantial seafood like swordfish steak or mussels

Goru Verde

This rich red wine is made from organic Monastrell (Mourvedre) grapes, which are prevalent in southeast Spain. Its flavors of dark cherry and dried fig accent with hints of tea, black olive, and tobacco. The winery is located in Jumilla, Spain, where some of Europe’s oldest vines call home. Available at DMV Distributing.

Awards: 91 points Decanter; No. 1 Best Value of 2017 Washington Post

Pair with: Barbeque, burgers, braised meats, and paella

Masottina Prosecco Brut

Glera grapes are the foundation of this crisp, refreshing, sparkling wine from Veneto, Italy. Jasmine, wisteria, and hawthorn scents give way to a frothy, bright palate that’s rich with Bartlett pear and green apple and finishes with a hint of lime.

This food-friendly wine pairs with anything, from gourmet cuisine to homestyle cooking to snack foods like buttered popcorn and potato chips. Available at DMV Distributing.

Awards: 96 points Decanter

Pair with: Asian entrées, seafood, stuffed mushrooms, fried or spicy foods, almonds, Prosciutto, and creamy sauces

Paxis Red Blend

Hailing from Lisbon, Portugal, this deep, rich red is very concentrated, offering flavors of dense berry fruits. It’s firm with tannins and full in the mouth but dark and balanced, blending Tinta Roiz, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Nacional. Available at DMV Distributing.

Awards: 90 points Wine Enthusiast; No. 5 Top 100 “Best Buys”

Pair with: Barbeque, pasta, baked dishes, vegetarian entrées, cheese-based meals, and any well-seasoned dish

Creating Your Wine List

As you add wines to your restaurant, keep it clean and simple. Offer a nice balance of taste and price to appeal to your everyday customers.

When listing these wines, include important information like body, vintage, price, and country of origin. Also, showcase higher and mid-priced wines, highlighting them on your menu or rotate suggested wines. This keeps the selection fresh and your customers intrigued.

Whether you’re building a wine list from scratch or adding to a popular wine list, DMV Distributing has fine wines that will delight your customers without cutting into your profit. Browse our selection of fine wines for your restaurant and see the difference. Want more information on fine wine for your restaurant? Get in the know by contacting DMV Distributing. Click the button below to get started: