There has never been a better time to be an oenophile in the ‘Burgh. Local bars and restaurants are serving tastes of more high-quality wine options from around the globe than ever before.
Where to Taste Wine in Pittsburgh
Allegheny Wine Mixer
5316 Butler St, Lawrenceville
Since August 2011, AWM has remained the go-to wine destination in Pittsburgh. The best by-the-glass list in the city rotates frequently, and the staff is the best in the ‘Burgh to guide novices and aficionados through the list. Just ask Sean and Lisa what they recommend.
Apericena Wine Bar
100 Siena Dr, Upper Saint Clair
Wine lovers in the South Hills have a bona fide destination in Apericena with high-quality by-the-glass options and an edited selection of bottle-only delights. The Albariño (white) and Grenache blend (red) are especially delightful. Note: I put them on the list, so I can personally vouch for them.
Fig & Ash
514 East Ohio St, North Side
Come for the glazed carrots and meatloaf, stay for the thoughtfully curated wine list. Of particular note are top-notch South African selections from Tesselaarsdal, JC Wickens, and Donovan Rall.
The Pennsylvania Market
108 19th St, Strip District
Enjoy a series of wine flights to try something new, or grab a selection by the bottle to open in their beautiful and extensive Wine Library. Or uncork at home and nestle on the sofa.
Spork
5430 Penn Ave, Garfield
This high-end restaurant has some heavy hitters on the wine list, but it’s full of under-the-radar gems. Example: the Kerner from Italy’s Alto Adige is a steal. The list of sparkling wines by the bottle is impressive, too.
Talia Cucina
611 Willian Penn Place, Downtown
This all-Italian list is impeccably designed to complement the hearty Italian fare coming out of the kitchen. Settle in at the handsome bar and try the Frappato, a light red that’s perfect for spring.
The Vandal
4306 Butler St, Lawrenceville
The wine list might not be the biggest, but it’s among the best. Enjoy high-quality Chardonnay from the Finger Lakes, or dip your toes into the natural wine pool. The Vandal will offer several tries.
Morcilla
3519 Butler St, Lawrenceville
Wines on tap, by the glass, and by the bottle––all delicious ways to accompany pintxos or larger plates. Although the list is heavily Spanish (as one might expect), you’ll find interesting selections from Sicily, South Africa, and elsewhere.
Dish
128 South 17th St, South Side
Everyone knows Dish is the place to go for Italian and Sicilian fare in the city, but their wine list deserves some of the spotlight. The Falanghina (white) is simply stellar, and they offer a Refosco (red) that’s sure to delight.
Fogo de Chão
525 Smithfield St, Downtown
This Brazilian steakhouse has the best lineup of South American wines anywhere in town. If you’re a fan of reds, this needs to be atop your list; check out the selections from VIK in Chile for something special.
Tina’s Bar & Bottle Shop
4114 Main St, Bloomfield
With a focus on biodynamic wines (check out Rudolph Steiner’s lectures from the 1920s for more on that), Tina’s offers a select by-the-glass list, but it’s their bottle shop that provides wine lovers with a cornucopia of excitement from around the world.
Lorelei
124 South Highland Ave, East Liberty
Like Tina’s, Lorelei offers delightful by-the-glass options, but they have an extensive wine shop if you’re looking for an intriguing bottle. Look for labels from Europe’s Alpine regions. Their selection of orange wines (skin-contact whites) is especially noteworthy.
Story by Adam Knoerzer / Photography by Laura Petrilla
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