In a city where the locals traditionally "eat at home," Charleston's transition to a dining destination in the last quarter century is nothing shy of remarkable. Today, it's hard to imagine a city that takes its food—and wine—more seriously than this magnificent South Carolina coastal community. In fact, the city's second favorite pastime seems to be the search for the perfect meal served with its perfect wine companion.
No doubt, Southern hospitality is at its best when a sommelier or knowledgeable waitperson helps diners find the perfect wine, chosen to match the restaurant's own cuisine and ambience. In the Holy City, where fine dining options are plentiful, perhaps the experts at Wine Spectator can help the weary traveler in search of the perfect pair narrow the field.
Wine Spectator has identified a number of Lowcountry restaurants that merit one of its prestigious awards. Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence recognizes a restaurant's commitment to a fine wine list, with a sufficient selection of better producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Award of Excellence lists typically offer at least 80 selections.
The Best of Award of Excellence was created to give special recognition to those restaurants that clearly exceed Wine Spectator's basic category. These lists display vintage depth, vertical offerings of several top wines, excellent breadth from major wine-growing regions and typically 400 or more selections.
The publication's highest award is the Grand Award, which is given to those restaurants that show an uncompromising, passionate devotion to quality. These lists show serious depth of mature vintages, outstanding breadth in their vertical offerings, excellent harmony with the menu, superior organization and presentation and 1,250 or more selections.
Charleston's list of award winners continues to grow each year. Here are a few of the Lowcountry's 2005 award winners that will put wine lovers hot on the trail of the perfect pair.
82 Queen holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 82 Queen St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves regional cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 125 selections, with an inventory of 1,200 bottles.
Blossom Café holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 171 E. Bay St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves seafood. Specializing in wines from California and Italy, it offers 150 selections, with an inventory of 2,400 bottles.
Charleston Grill holds a Best of Award of Excellence. Located at 224 King St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves contemporary regional cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 970 selections, with an inventory of 14,955 bottles.
Circa 1886 holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 149 Wentworth St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves contemporary cuisine. Specializing in wines from California, it offers 330 selections, with an inventory of 1,650 bottles.
Cypress Lowcountry Grille holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 167 E. Bay St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves regional cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 320 selections, with an inventory of 6,000 bottles.
High Cotton holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 199 E. Bay St. in downtown Charleston, High Cotton is a steak house. Specializing in wines from California, it offers 130 selections, with an inventory of 2,500 bottles.
Magnolias holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 185 E. Bay St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves American cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 200 selections, with an inventory of 3,000 bottles.
The Ocean Room holds an Award of Excellence. Located at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, the restaurant serves American cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 480 selections, with an inventory of 5,025 bottles.
Peninsula Grill holds an Award of Excellence. Located at 112 N. Market St. in downtown Charleston, the restaurant serves regional cuisine. Specializing in wines from California and France, it offers 275 selections, with an inventory of 5,760 bottles.
Water's Edge Restaurant received 2003/2005 Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. The most comprehensive wine and champagne list in the Mt. Pleasant area. Over 450 selections of affordably priced wines from around the world! Enjoy the beauty of Shem Creek at sunset inside or outside creek-side. Come by boat!
Tristan offers a bold American menu with a global influence in a beautiful, yet relaxed atmosphere that reflects the character of a fine dining establishment. Located at 55 South Market Street (next to the French Quarter Inn), Tristan offers an energetic bar and an award-winning wine list.
In 1978 A.W. Shuck’s opened on The Market. It was a place where you could get a plate of fried shrimp, a dozen raw oysters or an ice cold pitcher of beer. Shuck’s has expanded and evolved, but has remained true to its roots of local décor, local food, and a local atmosphere ... a casual, upscale spot where all feel at home.
Welcome to Charleston. Our heart of pine floors, ceiling fans and walls of hand-made brick have been the signatures of Lowcountry high-life since antebellum times. Even our name is derived from plantation jargon for livin’ large. Our menu is hearty and southern, featuring regional favorites prepared with Maverick artistry.
In a city where the locals traditionally "eat at home," Charleston's transition to a dining destination in the last quarter century is nothing shy of remarkable. Today, it's hard to imagine a city that takes its food—and wine—more seriously than this magnificent South Carolina coastal community. In fact, the city's second favorite pastime seems to be the search for the perfect meal served with its perfect wine companion.
Tristan offers a bold American menu with a global influence in a beautiful, yet relaxed atmosphere that reflects the character of a fine dining establishment. Located at 55 South Market Street (next to the French Quarter Inn), Tristan offers an energetic bar and an award-winning wine list.
In 1978 A.W. Shuck’s opened on The Market. It was a place where you could get a plate of fried shrimp, a dozen raw oysters or an ice cold pitcher of beer. Shuck’s has expanded and evolved, but has remained true to its roots of local décor, local food, and a local atmosphere ... a casual, upscale spot where all feel at home.
Welcome to Charleston. Our heart of pine floors, ceiling fans and walls of hand-made brick have been the signatures of Lowcountry high-life since antebellum times. Even our name is derived from plantation jargon for livin’ large. Our menu is hearty and southern, featuring regional favorites prepared with Maverick artistry.
