Capital Region restaurants among world's best for wine

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Several restaurants in the Capital Region have been included in Wine Spectator's 2024 Restaurant Awards. In total, nine local restaurants were given either the Award of Excellence or the Best of Award of Excellence for wine.

Each year since 1981, the publication Wine Spectator puts together a list of the world's best restaurants for wine on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award. For 2024, there were 2,150, 1,531, and 96 winners in each respective category.

The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants who have at least 90 selections. The Best of Award of Excellence restaurant winners typically offer 350 or more selections.

"The restaurant industry is growing and thriving, with restaurant openings surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. To take advantage of the uptick, restaurateurs are re-investing in their wine programs,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher of Wine Spectator. "Restaurants that make wine a priority are what the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program is all about. I’m pleased to congratulate all 3,777 restaurants for their dedication to wine and exemplary wine lists."

Capital Region winners

• Village Pizzeria & Ristorante, 2727 Route 29 in Middle Grove
  • Best of Award of Excellence, 620 wine selections
  • First won this award in 2011
• Scarlet Knife, 195 Troy Schenectady Road in Latham
  • Award of Excellence, over 150 wine selections
  • First time winning this award
• Prime Restaurant, 458 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs
  • Award of Excellence, 350 wine selections
  • First won this award in 2023
• Taverna Novo, 62 Beekman Street in Saratoga Springs
  • Award of Excellence, 120 wine selections
  • First won this award in 2019
• Solevo Kitchen + Social, 55 Phila Street in Saratoga Springs
  • Award of Excellence, 155 wine selections
  • First won this award in 2023
• Salt & Char, 353 Broadway in Saratoga Springs
  • Award of Excellence, 200 wine selections
  • First won this award in 2017
• Morissey's Lounge & Bistro, 365 Broadway in Saratoga Springs
  • Award of Excellence, 130 wine selections
  • First won this award in 2018
• Chianti Il Ristorante, 18 Division Street in Saratoga Springs
  • Award of Excellence, 170 wine selections
  • First won this award in 2016
• The Wishing Well, 745 Saratoga Road in Wilton
  • Award of Excellence, 200 wine selections
  • First won this award in 2011

“It's truly an honor to receive the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator," said Scarlet Knife executive chef and co-owner Paul Dimm. "Our goal has always been to offer our guests a great selection of wines that complement our menu. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and attention to detail that goes into crafting our wine list at Scarlet Knife."

You can read the Wine Spectator's full 2024 Restaurant Awards list on the Wine Spectator website. For more restaurant news, make sure to check out the Restaurant Rundown category under the Community tab on the NEWS10 website.