MRM Expertise: Something to Wine About

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas recently expanded the wine program at its Clifton, New Jersey location. The restaurant – which has received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for six years running for its selection of over 150 wines by the bottle – now offers more than 350 world-class wines available by the bottle, with more than 60 wines by the glass. Spuntino sold an average of over 130 bottles and 1,100 glasses per week in 2017.

The restaurant  has the goal of making wine approachable and unpretentious for both newbies and connoisseurs. This includes its everyday list featuring wines ranging from $20 to $2,000 per bottle and representing 14 different countries, including 18 of the 20 wine regions of Italy, to its reserve list of over 100 highly-allocated and highly-rated wines, to its selection of small and large format wines ranging in size from the 187-ml split and 375-ml demi to the six-liter Imperial, along with daily wine flights. 

“Since opening our doors in April of 2012, the team at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas has had a passion for providing guests with dishes starring fresh, local and seasonal ingredients and a wine program that is every bit as important as the food coming out of our kitchen,” said Brian McAllister, wine director and general manager of the Clifton restaurant. “We operate under the philosophy that wine enhances a great meal, and the expansion of our wine selection allows us to further cultivate a destination that allows our guests to sip and sample their way through a dining experience they will always remember.”

In this MRM Expertise video, McAllister discusses the wine selection process, staff training and the guest experience.