Wine Spectator rates over 15,000 wines per year, in every price range, to fit every occasion. Read about the world's great wineries and winemakers and visit restaurants with outstanding wine lists. Plus, each issue features delicious recipes and pairs them with the perfect wines.
WineSpectator.com • Visit WineSpectator.com/083120 to find links to all of the following resources.
Celebrating Restaurants
WORLD’S GREATEST RESTAURANT WINE LISTS • Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, founded in 1981, honors outstanding restaurants with extraordinary wine programs. In 2020, 100 restaurants have earned Grand Awards; listed here, they represent 17 countries and 14 states plus the District of Columbia. For more information about these distinguished restaurants, turn to the Restaurant Awards listings beginning on page 97; comprehensive coverage is also available at Restaurants. WineSpectator.com.
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Pandemic Changes U.S. Wine Market
U.S. Wineries Reopen … Slowly
France Tries to Define Natural Wine
Wine Spectator Supports World Central Kitchen
Wine Spectator Introduces Straight Talk on Instagram
Kate Upton Adds Wine to Her Résumé • With husband Justin Verlander of MLB fame, Upton co-owns Immortal Estate in Sonoma
Darjeeling’s Royal Flush
Chile’s Collectible Cabernet • A tasting of 30 vintages of Don Melchor reveals remarkable consistency and depth of flavo
Spanish Steps • This selection includes a range of bargains from some of Spain’s classic regions, from Rioja to Ribera to Jerez. There’s also a contemporary example from Jumilla that blends Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Rioja Reigns
Bordeaux’s Fractured Futures Campaign
2020 RESTAURANT AWARDS • Restaurateurs Show Resilience and Resolve
A PASSIONATE INDUSTRY FORGES AHEAD
RESTAURATEURS SPEAK
CHEFS STEP UP
California Cool • A new style of cooler-climate Chardonnay has swept the Golden State, with richly flavored wines showing purity and freshness
TUSCANY at YOUR TABLE • Chef Nancy Silverton’s recipes for sharing food with family
PINKERTON AVOCADOS WITH PEA SHOOTS, TOASTED PINE NUTS & PROSCIUTTO
BISTECCA FIORENTINA
RASPBERRY JAM BARS WITH PISTACHIO CRUMBLE
VODKA • THE MARKET LEADER IS FINALLY BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE COCKTAIL VANGUARD
UNSHAKABLE RESOLVE • Australian vintners hold firm in the face of adversity, delivering excellent wines in a range of styles
POWER & POISE • The 2018 vintage marks a great year for Germany’s dry whites
THE 2020 RESTAURANT AWARDS • In the pages that follow, you’ll find listings for selected restaurants that earned a Wine Spectator award for their wine program in 2020. These include all Grand Award winners, restaurants that have earned awards for the first time, and previous holders of the Award of Excellence that earned an upgrade to the Best of Award of Excellence this year. U.S. restaurant names are listed in blue type, international names in red. Details for all winners are searchable at Restaurants.WineSpectator.com.
Highly Recommended • The issue’s most impressive wines. Includes top-scorers and wines that represent optimal purchases based on their combination of score, price and availability.
Collectibles • Wines that will improve most from additional bottle age and that show the greatest potential to gain in value.
About the Buying Guide
Smart Buys • Wines that deliver fine character at affordable prices and that are broadly available.
Best Values • Wines with solid scores, modest prices and wide distribution.
New Wines From Around the World
Don Melchor Retrospective
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