Caveau prides itself as a bar for both novice and experienced wine drinkers, and aims to educate, not intimidate. So don’t be overwhelmed by the 250 labels on offer, mostly French wines from the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone. While established winemakers and châteaux remain customer favourites, Caveau also brings in wines from lesser-known regions, and in styles that are rarely produced in a particular area – think reds from Loire Valley or Provence, or sparkling wines from Burgundy.
Options for whites and reds are plentiful, and the 2013 Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaulignot is regularly requested by the bottle ($80, $17/glass). Reds are equally, if not more, popular: try the 2012 Chateau Puy Blanquet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru ($19/glass) or 2011 Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($24/glass). But if you’re here for New World vino that’s more heavy-bodied with accents of stewed fruits and toffee, ask for the Napa Valley Zinfandel ($24/glass, $115/bottle).