Valenza Restaurant

Valenza's wine program is organized the Italian way and runs almost entirely Italian. By the glass: Borgo Conventi Pinot Grigio from Friuli ($16), Marchesi di Barolo Gavi ($16), Bramito Umbria Chardonnay ($17), Domaine Serge Laporte Sancerre ($26), Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico Riserva ($19), Il Bruciato Super Tuscan ($21), Caparzo Brunello ($30), and Caymus California Cab ($26). Sparkling starts at Lamberti Prosecco ($13/$52) and climbs to Berlucchi Franciacorta ($88) and Veuve Clicquot ($145). Champagne tops out at Krug Grand Cuvee ($410) and Eric Rodez Blanc de Blancs ($230).

This is where Valenza separates from every other Italian restaurant in metro Atlanta. Barolo: Ca'Rome Ceretta ($215), Marchesi di Barolo Cannubi ($205), Elvio Cogno Ravera ($200). Brunello: Caparzo 2008 ($260), La Fiorita ($160), Castello Banfi ($155), Argiano ($175). Amarone: Bertani ($160), Allegrini ($175), Masi Costasera Riserva ($215). Super Tuscan: Antinori Tignanello ($350), Ornellaia ($445), Sassicaia ($445), Chioccioli AltoRe ($300). French and American reserves round out with Chateau La Lagune Haut-Medoc ($150), Silver Oak Alexander Valley ($200), and DuMOL Pinot Noir ($160). Half-priced bottles on Mondays.

Sassicaia and Ornellaia at $445. Tignanello at $350. Krug Grand Cuvee at $410. Five Barolos. Four Brunellos. Four Amarones. Half-priced bottles on Mondays. Valenza has the deepest Italian cellar on the Buford Highway corridor and one of the deepest in the Southeast. The 4.9 OpenTable rating with over 3,200 reviews and the handmade pastas are almost beside the point. This is an Italian wine destination.