The Wine List: Miami's Overpriced Wine
There's been some heated discussion at the Chowhound Florida board over an article in July's Food & Wine magazine that mentions Miami and Las Vegas as two cities with overpriced wine lists. From the article:
I asked my friend Nick Ramkowsky, a wine importer who does a lot of business there. "Wine pricing in Miami is just a function of what they can get away with," Nick said. His company, Vine Connections, specializes in Argentine wines. One of Nick's producers is Susana Balbo, who makes some great value wines under the Crios label that generally retail for about $15. And yet the 2005 Crios Torrontes costs a cool $49 at Johnny V in Miami Beach—or five times wholesale. When I told Nick what I'd found, he sent back an impassioned reply: "That's more than outrageous. That should be considered a crime."
So what's a diner to do?
Lettie Teague, the author of the piece, has a few tips for getting a good deal on wine. Avoid anything sparkling and wine by the glass; these two are the most and second-most overpriced categories on the average wine list. Look for wines from lesser-known regions, and try bringing your own wine, if the restaurant allows it and the corkage fee isn't outrageous.
As for Miami restaurants, the Chowhounders recommend Michael's Genuine, Michy's, Xixon, River Oyster Bar and El Carajo for good, moderately priced wine lists.
A Cheapskate's Critique of Wine List Prices [Food & Wine]
Miami Wine Lists Exposed and Chowhound Recs [Chowhound]
