Vinous Guides: Best Italian Wine Lists in New York City

BY ANTONIO GALLONI | MAY 5, 2025

I have been involved with Italian wine in one way or another since I was in high school. My parents operated a retail store when I was a teenager. That was my introduction. Family trips in the summer furthered my interest. Later, I became an avid consumer myself. Today, many years later, my passion for Italy and its wines is stronger than ever. I never cease to be amazed by the sheer diversity and quality Italy has to offer.

With Vinous Icons: Italy fast approaching, we are looking forward to welcoming guests from around the world for a memorable weekend of lunches, dinners, seminars and tastings. To help attendees get the most out of the weekend, we’ve put together a list of our favorite spots where wine lovers can enjoy the full breadth of Italian wine. Some of the restaurants on this list have Italy-focused programs, while others offer wines from around the world. We hope this selection is useful for out-of-towners as well as readers who are well-versed in New York City’s vibrant dining scene.

I did notice several things as I pored over these incredible lists. First, I would like to see Wine Directors and Sommeliers make a clear and correct distinction between Chianti Classico and Chianti. These are two distinct and separate regions. One is not a subset of another. I also noted the minimal presence of Alto Adige, a region blessed with extraordinary diversity that also offers a great deal of value. Either Alto Adige wineries are not doing enough to promote their wines, or perhaps local demand is enough for these estates to thrive.

Restaurants are ranked from one to five stars according to the following parameters:

1) Breadth, 2) Creativity, 3) By the Glass Options, 4) Selection of Older Vintages and 5) Value, which are then combined into an overall rating.

Café Carmellini

The Fifth Avenue Hotel

250 5th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Tel. + 1 (212) 231-9200

More than five years in the making, Chef Andrew Carmellini’s posh new restaurant is one of the top spots in New York City. Since its opening, its food has gotten better and better. Beverage Director Josh Nadel and Sommelier Robin Wright have put together one of the best lists in town. Although not focused solely on Italy, the list here is nothing short of breathtaking. Reds seem to be the driving theme—if you want it, it’s there. The Barolo selection goes back to the 1960s. Every major producer is represented with multiple vintages, as are pretty much all the names that have become more fashionable of late. Readers with a generous budget will look at this list and start planning a return visit. But Café Carmellini is not just about big names, and there are plenty of affordable choices too. The Alto Piemonte section is small but holds plenty of value. Dolcetto, Barbera and Langhe Nebbiolo aren’t quite the steals they used to be, but there are some good options here as well. There’s plenty of depth in the Tuscan sections as well. Among up-and-coming regions, Sicily is well represented. Whites are a curious mix. The selection of Miani alone is jaw-dropping, but that’s pretty much it for Friuli. Alto Adige and Veneto, meaning Soave, are essentially non-existent. Liguria, Marche and Campania fare better. To be fair, the list is global in scope and it is impossible to have everything. Readers in search of an all-Italian list will find that at sister restaurant Locanda Verde (see below). Prices are fair within the context of high-end Manhattan restaurants. I appreciate the desire to provide value via wines from less well-known producers. The By the Glass selection, which is global in scope, is extremely thoughtful and curated.

Strengths: Older vintages of Piedmont, Langhe, the relative value of the Barbera & Friends section, Tuscany, Abruzzo

What I’m Drinking: 2021 Tiberio Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Fonte Canale, 2023 Burlotto Dolcetto d’Alba, 2016 Le Pianelle Bramaterra

Money is No Object: 2013 Cappellano Barolo Pie Franco

Breadth: ★★★★★

Creativity: ★★★★

By the Glass Options: ★★★★★

Selection of Older Vintages: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★½

Overall Rating: ★★★★½

Ci Siamo

440 West 33rd Street Suite #100

New York, NY 10001

Tel. +1 (212) 219-6559