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Featuring a diverse range of local, national and international vintages, many South Fork restaurants are as well regarded for their outstanding wine lists as they are for their dining. Whether pouring white or red, these five Hamptons restaurants have an extensive selection to suit every dish.
The American Hotel
The American Hotel in Sag Harbor has one of the most celebrated and extensive wine lists in the world. The restaurant annually earns the “Grand Award for One of the Greatest Wine lists in the World” from Wine Spectator — one of only 87 restaurants to do so.
All year long, the pinot noir selection is in high demand, but peeks considerably during the fall and winter months. The 2013 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast from Kistler Vineyard in California is particularly popular. Pair it with one of the restaurant’s signature dishes: Long Island pekin duck a la Montmorency.
Another solid selection during winter isthe 2005 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage — a red blend from the Rhone, France. Match the warm hearty wine with a dish that offers the same comforts such as the black angus sirloin steak au poivre vert armagnac flambé.
The restaurant will soon add Michaele Castellani Amarone Cinque Stelle 2013 from Veneto to its cellar. It is a deep brooding and concentrated wine characterized by spicy black fruit and prominent yet refined tannic structure. A hint of sweetness brings warmth and offers comfort on bitterly cold winter nights in the Harbor.
45 Main St, Sag Harbor, 631-725-3535; theamericanhotel.com
Sen
Well respected for having both a strong wine and sake list, Sen’s owner Ryunosuke Jesse Matsuoka, a certified sake sommelier, guides his guests with a unique experience of wine and sake food pairings.
Sancerre from France has been one of their most regularly requested wines, but Sen also showcases a large local selection including wines from Channing Daughters and Paumanok.
In the sake realm, the number one selling beverage is hot sake in the winter.
“I go to Japan at least one a year, sometimes with staff, and visit sake breweries and help with the making process,” Matsuoka said. “Sen also has domestic sake products, including some made in Brooklyn.”
23 Main St, Sag Harbor, 631-725-1774; senrestaurant.com
Stone Creek Inn
Stone Creek Inn in East Quogue has a carefully curated wine list designed to enhance its menu offerings. This time of the year, chef Christian Mir places a focus on rustic comfort food, which happens to pair perfectly with wine from the southwest of France — where chef Christian is from.
Manager Gabrielle Walsh recently added Chateau Peyros from the Madiran region of France. The wine is a red blend, “which, when paired with chef’s famous cassoulet is a match made in heaven,” Walsh said. “The structure of the wine holds up really well to the richness of the dish.”
For restaurant week at the end of January, the restaurant will offer a bottle of white or red for $29.95 with the prix fixe meal, either a local wine or one from southwest France.
405 Montauk Hwy, East Quogue, 631-653-6770;stonecreekinn.com
The 1770 House
A multi-course tasting menu paired with premium wines is a hallmark of The 1770 House. Each vintage becomes a part of the overall experience, making the vino selection of the utmost importance.
Its inventory totals roughly 2,500 bottles including premier California vintages. At the helm of the wine program is restaurant and wine director Michael Cohen. Cohen has been with the East Hampton restaurant since 2006, and knows a thing or two about pairings.
“I generally like wines that won’t overpower anything on the table,” Cohen said. “For red wines, this means light to medium bodied wines that aren’t too harsh or tannic. Think Oregon pinot noirs, Rosso di Montalcino or Burgundy. For white wines, I love this time of year too. Riesling is perhaps the most dynamic and under appreciated grape variety out there.”
143 Main St, East Hampton, 631-324-1770; 1770house.com
Wölffer Kitchen
Visitors to both the Amagansett and Sag Harbor locations will find an extensive wine list featuring vinos and ciders from Wölffer Estate Vineyards as well as other wineries on Long Island, in the United States and abroad.
In Amagansett, guests are selecting Wölffer Estate Perle Chardonnay 2017 to pair with tapas such as the grilled shrimp with piquillo peppers. While in Sag Harbor, the winery’s Claletto Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is being paired with grilled rib eye and pan roasted skate with confit fingerling potatoes.
The restaurants also carry wines from Italy, France, California and Spain.
29 Main St, Sag Harbor
4 Amagansett Sq, Amagansett