Nordic Precision Meets Old World Depth
Midtown East · New York · Scandinavian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 8, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Aquavit arrives with the same quiet confidence as the room itself — all clean lines and zero clutter. Five hundred-plus bottles, anchored hard in Burgundy and Champagne, signal immediately that this kitchen takes its pours as seriously as its gravlax. This is a list built for people who know what they want and are willing to pay for it.
Burgundy is the undisputed star here — names like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Leroy, and Domaine Leflaive's Puligny-Montrachet give the list genuine depth and trophy-hunting appeal. Germany gets real respect too, with Egon Müller from the Mosel and Dönnhoff from the Nahe covering the Riesling spectrum from electric to lush — a smart call given how well German whites track with Nordic cuisine. California shows up through Ridge Vineyards, Italy via Gaja, and Champagne through Krug Grande Cuvée and Billecart-Salmon, rounding out a list that earns its Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator every year since 2014. The gaps are minor — you won't find much natural wine or anything from the Southern Hemisphere, but that's very much by design.
With 16 to 24 options by the glass, there's enough range to navigate a multi-course tasting menu without repeating yourself. The program leans Old World, which is exactly right for the food. We'd push hard for a Riesling pour early in the meal — it's the most natural fit for what's coming out of the kitchen.
Billecart-Salmon Champagne — $90
Billecart-Salmon is one of the most consistent grower-adjacent houses in Champagne — consistently underpriced relative to the prestige names on this list and a perfect opener for a Scandinavian tasting menu.
Dönnhoff Nahe Riesling
Most tables will gravitate toward Burgundy, which means Dönnhoff flies under the radar here. That's a mistake. Nahe Riesling at this level has the acidity and minerality to cut through cured fish and herring preparations better than almost anything else on the list.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Yes, it's real DRC and yes, it's spectacular — but at a Michelin-starred Midtown restaurant, you're paying a premium on a premium. Unless this is a truly special occasion, the same money goes further elsewhere on this list.
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet + Arctic char
Leflaive's Puligny is all chalk, citrus pith, and restrained richness — it mirrors the clean, delicate fat of Arctic char without overwhelming it. This is the pairing that makes you understand why the list was built the way it was.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Aquavit's wine program is the real deal — a deep, expertly curated list guided by sommelier Joe Nakakura that earns its Rager status. The markups are real, but so is everything else, and a Michelin-starred Scandinavian kitchen with this kind of cellar is worth the trip.
Midtown West · New York · Russian-American
The Russian Tea Room treats wine as an afterthought dressed up in Champagne flutes — five famous labels at punishing prices with no range, no by-the-glass program, and no apparent curiosity about wine beyond what looks impressive on a table. Go for the spectacle, order the caviar, but don't come here expecting a wine list.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
David Burke Tavern's list is a Chardonnay lover's comfort zone with a solid sparkling section propping up the top — but the narrow focus and steep pricing mean you're paying for familiarity, not discovery. Send a friend here if they want California whites and a glass of Champagne; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
Corima's wine list is proof that ten well-chosen bottles beat a hundred thoughtless ones every time. If you care about what's in your glass, this place is worth your attention.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Village · New York · American
Cecchi's is first and foremost a bar, but the wine list is more serious than the neon and noise suggest. Steep markups are the main ding — but if you know what to order, there's real pleasure here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
SoHo · New York · Steak House, Small Plates
The Corner Store is a reliable, well-credentialed wine list doing exactly what a good SoHo steakhouse should — France and California, done with intention, in a room that makes you want to order another bottle. Just watch the markup on the big Bordeaux names and let the Rhône or Burgundy side show you a better time.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Tribeca · New York · American
Farra is punching above its weight class for a neighborhood wine bar, and the Wine Spectator nod is earned — just know that the serious bottles come with serious prices, and the no-sommelier setup means you're doing some of the navigating yourself. Worth it for anyone who knows what they want; potentially overwhelming for those who don't.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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