Worth Reading: On Restaurant Wine Pricing in the WSJ

Cracking the Code Of Restaurant Wine Pricing - WSJ.com

"At Legal Sea Foods in Washington, a bottle of 1999 Dom Pérignon Champagne costs $155. At McCormick & Schmick's, less than half a mile away, the same bottle goes for $250. At Carnevino in Las Vegas, it's $450, and at Per Se in New York, it's $595."

If anything ever proved that money can't buy good taste it's that diners experiencing the glories of Manhattan's exceptional Per Se Restaurant actually buy Dom Perignon. You also can't help wondering why a restaurant so obsessed with quality would put Dom Perignon on the list in the first place. Of course, If anyone would like to give me $595 for a bottle I'd be pleased to sell them all they want.

Comments

[Terry Hughes]

Thanks for linking to this article. I don't subscribe to the WSJ any more, so this was a real public service. A revealing though not too surprising piece for this nouvel importer; so many of our wines are small-production, hand-sell type wines that they sort of beg for a restaurant sommelier's salesmanship with the patron.

I hate to admit it, but I order by the glass all the time when I go out, in part because I hang around with people who prefer white to red. I know I'm getting hosed...but it does prevent me from overdrinking.

[Sean D]

Another look at wine lists and awards:

http://osterialintrepido.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/what-does-it-take-to-get-a-wine-spectator-award-of-excellence/

[JacklynReilly]

That's well known that cash makes us free. But how to act if someone doesn't have money? The only one way is to receive the business loans and just short term loan.