Want to know if a restaurant’s wine list was written by someone who actually loves wine?
Look for:
* Varieties that aren’t just Pinot Grigio and Cab, but also Blaufränkisch, Malvasia, Friulano.
* Notes about vineyards, soils, or families: not just “vanilla and berries.”
* A team that can talk about texture and pairing without reading off the menu.
* Wines that have tension and shape, not just ripe fruit.
If those things are there, chances are the list was built with intent and everything else (better pairings, more adventurous guests, bigger checks) follows.
