By Kristen Kuchar

Each year, Wine Spectator names restaurants across the country that are dedicated to offering a standout, thoughtfully curated wine list that is an integral part of their dining experience. To be considered, restaurants need to offer an extensive variety of wines from quality producers and offer exceptional wine service throughout the team. These are just a few of the Colorado restaurants that were given the Best of Award of Excellence in wine.

Adventures Decanted

Sommeliers Toni Hallgren and Shelby Peterson own Adventures Decanted in Winter Park. The space offers more than 80 wines by the glass and hundreds of bottles from around the world, cellared in a climate-controlled space. A seasonal food menu, specifically designed to accompany the wine, includes cheese fondue, a slider flight and Neapolitan pizzas. Wine-centric events include sommelier-selected wine flight nights with music, workshops, pairings and wine dinners.

Swiss Chalet

The wine collection at Swiss Chalet is inspired by Gemütlichkeit – to elevate and enhance the dining experience. The European, seasonal restaurant is located within Vail’s upscale Sonnenalp Hotel and features traditional dishes – homemade Swiss dumplings, schnitzel, fondue and a sausage sampler. The wine list offers more than 1,000 selections to choose from.

Mizuna

Mizuna offers an extensive list that includes wine from Burgundy, Bordeaux and California. It’s known for being an intimate and romantic spot in Denver offering a Chef’s Tasting Menu and a three-course option. Appetizers include a jumbo lump crab cake, charred baby artichoke and a spring salad. Look for main courses, such as beef wellington, Chilean sea bass and more.

C Lazy U Lodge Restaurant

The wine cellar at C Lazy U Lodge Restaurant has more than 400 varietals organized by variety – Zinfandel, Super Tuscan, Syrah, Nebbiolo and so on. The Granby ranch’s on-site Sommelier, Tony Collier, curates the selection of fine wines to pair with gourmet dishes, highlighting American West cuisine. Along with the Wine Spectator award, the resort has accolades from Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure and USA Today.

Panzano

Denver’s Panzano restaurant has received praise from Zagat and been awarded 4 diamonds by AAA. The cuisine is described as contemporary Northern Italian, utilizing organic and regionally sourced ingredients. To go along with the award-winning wine list, there are pastas and hearty dishes. The lounge menu includes appetizers and pizzas, such as a wild mushroom pie topped with Calabrian chili honey.

Barcelona Wine Bar

Barcelona Wine Bar’s wine list spans 70 regions and hundreds of makers with a focus on Spain and South America. The Denver bar has an extensive Sherry and Port offering as well as an emphasis on wines that are sustainable, organic, biodynamic and natural. Keeping with the Spanish influence, tapas, cheese, charcuterie, paella and flan are on the large food menu.

Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar

While there are three locations in Denver, Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar transports diners straight to Venice. The menu features wine selections highlighting various wine regions of Italy – Piedmont, Lombardy, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Sicily, Lazio and more, as well as wines from other countries. And to eat, there are many options for pasta dishes, salads, mains and plenty of desserts – tiramisu, cannoli, gelato and crepes filled with Nutella.

Edge Restaurant’s wine cases | Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons hotel

Edge Restaurant & Bar

The wine staff at EDGE Restaurant & Bar carry unique and rare producers as well as guest favorites on the evolving wine list. Thanks to the Coravin Program, guests can enjoy any wine on the list by the glass without having to buy the whole bottle. Located within Four Seasons Hotel Denver, EDGE serves steaks and seafood and, in addition to wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.

La Tour Restaurant & Bar

La Tour Restaurant & Bar not only boasts approximately 500 wines on the notable list, but also an impressive collection of Domaine de la Romanée Conti wines, an estate in Burgundy, France. The Vail Village restaurant brings French dishes to the Colorado mountain town – truffle French onion soup, escargot, beet salad, a cheese platter and crème brulee.

Frasca Food & Wine

Boulder’s Frasca Food and Wine is a winner of the James Beard Award for Excellence along with several other wine accolades. A 40-plus page wine list features wines from around the world, including many available by the glass. The Northern Italian food menu is also offered with a wine pairing from the eclectic selection.

Other Colorado restaurants that earned wine praise include Guard and Grace, Quality Italian, The Capital Grille, Palace Arms in The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Elway’s Cherry Creek, 801 Chophouse, Ranch House Restaurant & Salon and Tavernetta. Whichever restaurant it may be, while the cuisine and location will vary, an outstanding wine experience can certainly be anticipated.