15 Charlotte Area Restaurants Earn 2021 Wine Spectator Awards

CHARLOTTE, NC — Coronavirus has brought unique and unprecedented challenges to restaurants throughout the Charlotte metro. Despite the hardships, several were still able to shine in the last year, earning a 2021 Restaurant Award from Wine Spectator magazine.

The annual Restaurant Awards honor excellence in restaurant wine lists, as well as those who have demonstrated passion and devoted extensive resources to creating outstanding wine programs. This year’s awards are featured in the Aug. 31 issue of Wine Spectator.

The list typically gives us a generous glimpse at the best spots in Charlotte. This year, 15 restaurants in our city earned a nod from Wine Spectator.

More than 2,900 restaurants in 50 states and 72 countries and territories earned awards this year. The awards are given across three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award.

The Grand Award is Wine Spectator’s most prestigious honor, given to the world’s most elite wine programs. Read profiles of all 100 current Grand Award winners,

Typically, recipients of the Grand Award offer at least 1,000 or more wine selections, showcasing “immense depth and breadth of regions, producers, vintages and bottle formats.” All Grand Award winners must also pass a rigorous inspection of their restaurants, including the wine cellars.

Three new restaurants won the Grand Award this year: Brennan's in New Orleans, Le Bernardin in New York and SingleThread Farms in Healdsburg, California.

The Angus Barn in Raleigh also won a Grand Award this year. Says Wine Spectator: "The Angus Barn’s vibe is both rural and refined. Behind the red barn doors, guests find a mouthwatering selection of steak-house staples and world-class wines. The property also includes a cigar lounge, a Wild Turkey lounge and a country store."

Check out the other restaurants in our city that earned nods for excellence this year:

• McNinch House Restaurant, Charlotte: Award of Excellence
• The Capital Grille, Charlotte: Award of Excellence
• Morton's, The Steakhouse, Charlotte: Award of Excellence
• Eddie V's Prime Seafood, Charlotte: Award of Excellence
• BLT Steak, Charlotte: Best of Award of Excellence
• Chima Steakhouse, Charlotte: Award of Excellence
• Ruth's Chris Steak House, 222 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte: Best of Award of Excellence
• Mama Ricotta's, Charlotte: Award of Excellence
• Barcelona Wine Bar, Charlotte: Best of Award of Excellence
• The String Bean, Belmont: Best of Award of Excellence
• Village Tavern, Charlotte: Award of Excellence
• Peppervine, Charlotte: Best of Award of Excellence
• Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, Charlotte: Best of Award of Excellence
• The Palm Charlotte, Charlotte: Award of Excellence
• Ruth's Chris Steak House, 6000 Fairview Road, Charlotte: Best of Award of Excellence

See all winners of this year’s Wine Spectator awards.

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