The Sipp on South Lamar

Walking into The Sipp, you don't expect a 150-plus bottle list with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in Oxford, Mississippi — but here we are. The big bar, outdoor seating, and tapas-forward menu set the stage for a wine program that punches well above its zip code. It's upscale without being stiff, which is exactly the right call for a college town that knows how to have a good time.

The list leans hard into California, France, and Italy — the same three pillars Wine Spectator flagged when handing out that Award of Excellence in 2020, and they've earned it. You'll find Stag's Leap and Caymus anchoring the Napa Cab section, Jordan offering a slightly more restrained option, and Louis Jadot holding down Burgundy for the France contingent. Italy checks in with Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, which is crowd-pleasing but expected. The $35–$150 bottle range keeps things accessible, and there are no obvious embarrassing gaps — just a list that knows its audience and plays to it well.

Twenty to thirty-five by-the-glass options is genuinely strong for a wine bar of this size, and at $10–$18 a pour, the pricing is honest. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc anchor the approachable end, while the Stag's Leap and Caymus Cabs give guests a reason to splurge by the glass without cracking a full bottle. We'd like to see more rotation, but what's here is well-chosen.