The ‘V’ in Vegas is for vino

Joel Robuchon

By E.C. Gladstone

It’s pretty well known that Las Vegas is a serious destination for fine dining; what often isn’t considered is how much great wine can be enjoyed here too. Want proof that Vegas is awash in vino, veritas? Well, just last week, Michelin 3-starred Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand was one of only four restaurants in the world to earn Wine Spectator’s 2009 Grand Award. Well over a dozen certified Master Sommeliers work in Sin City (New York City doesn’t even have half that number). But what’s really remarkable is the number of options wine lovers have in our Las Vegas hotels, often without even having to experience a fancy meal.

Hostile Grape (Courtesy M Resort)

By The Glass

• One of several ways the off-Strip M Resort slays the competition is with its Hostile Grape retail/bar wine cellar, sporting five freestanding enomatic machines that offer over 150 wines by the ounce, from approachably interesting value vino to rare collector wines like Screaming Eagle. (Hint: the first kiosk holds the sommelier’s favorites.) This is the wine bar of the future…

• Rio’s Wine Bar claims 100 by the glass as well, in addition to showcasing some historical rarities.

• At Palazzo, Morel’s French Bistro has more than 60 wines by the glass — and asmany artisanal cheeses — while the open-walled Double Helix in the Shoppes mezzanine has nearly as many, and an adjacent retail area from which they’ll open a bottle with no corkage fee, or deliver it to virtually any hotel room on the Strip…

• Across the street, Mirage’s semi-hidden Onda lounge was one of the first dedicated wine bars of recent vintage, offering around 40 by the ounce or glass, with some nice cheese selections and tapas…

• Green Valley Ranch’s Terra Verde restaurant has also recently broadened its selections by the glass or bottle (focusing on Italian and Californian wines), adding to the already nice list next door there at Hank’s Steakhouse. And in North Las Vegas, Pips at their sister hotel Aliante Station also has an attractively-priced glass and bottle selection.

The writer (right) with Aureole Master Sommelier William Sherer.

Incomparable Lists

In a city full of remarkable cellars, Aureole at Mandalay Bay has long been the standard; Master Sommelier William Sherer oversees the unique wine tower and (French, Californian focused) reserve cellars, keeping his list on a constantly updated computer tablet. Mix atop the adjacent THEhotel is also notable, and RM Seafood in Mandalay Place has an interesting, all-organic list…

• The Bellagio resort operates arguably the biggest single wine program in the world, served in a variety of remarkable restaurants. Le Cirque, Picasso, Michael Mina have the most impressive lists and sommeliers to match…

• The Venetian and Palazzo resorts also have astrong number of destinations, including all of Mario Batali & Joe Bastianich’s places (B&B, Carnevino and Enoteca San Marco), well-established heavyweight Delmonico Steak, Aquaknox, and Cut by Wolfgang Puck. Valentino and Bouchon are also standouts…

Krug Room trunk (Courtesy Caesars Palace)

• Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace actually has a special dining room devoted to the enjoyment of Krug champagne…in addition to one of the sexiest bars on the Strip. CP’s Bradley Ogden and Spago also have nice lists…

• At Wynn/Encore, Alex has a remarkable series of cellars under the imprimatur of Master Sommelier Paolo Barbieri while Switch’s Sommelier Desmond Ecchavarie offers many happy surprises, including a large number of half bottles…

• For the more adventurous, off-Strip spots that get high marks include Marche Bacchus, Valley Cheese and Wine in Henderson, Nora’s Wine Bar, and The Grape at Town Square.

• Others who take justifiable pride in their cellars include N9ne and Alize at Palms, Andre’s (Monte Carlo), Hank’s (Green Valley Ranch), Fiamma and Craftsteak at MGM Grand.

Wine Events

Special dinners and deals are also everywhere you turn in Las Vinos.

• Monday nights, Nove Italiano (Palms) offers half-prices on nearly all bottles, served by sexy-smart Som Anu Hawkins, a pro at pairing…

• The Rock N Roll Wine club takes over Lavo at Palazzo every Thursday from 6 p.m.…

• Simon’s at Palms Place hosts monthly wine dinners for $75 inclusive (next one is 7/23)… and that is just a taste.

Insider Tips: The Strip is awash with prix-fixe deals at virtually every fine dining destination… even Michelin 3-star Joel Robuchon! Check out offerings at MGM Grand, Wynn, Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Venetian in particular. And free wine tasting are everywhere too — Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak (Mondays 4:30-6:30 p.m.), The Grape (Thursdays, 6-8 p.m.) and Valley Cheese & Wine (Fridays 4-7 p.m., Saturdays 12-7 p.m.)

Moreon Las Vegas dining:

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• Cheap eats on the Las Vegas Strip
  
• Las Vegas: Top 10 steakhouses on the Strip
• Top 5 breakfasts on the Las Vegas Strip
• Top people-watching dining spots on the Las Vegas Strip
  

Related Orbitz resources:

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A contributing editor at VEGAS Magazine, E. C. Gladstone also interviews top Strip entertainers, restauranteurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes players for other local and national publications and websites. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Las Vegas