The News
Benoit New York, a French bistro in Midtown Manhattan, has been named winner of Best By-the-Glass Wine Program at the 2026 Star Wine List Awards. The restaurant also received a silver star for Best Bordeaux Wine List. The recognition comes after the restaurant curated a by-the-glass program from its cellar of 1,900 bottles, offering guests exceptional wines for various occasions.
Opening Orientation
In New York’s restaurant scene a by‑the‑glass program can quietly set a venue apart, turning casual diners into regulars. Benoit New York’s recent Star Wine List award shows that its 1,900‑bottle cellar and carefully curated glass list have earned critical praise, with ripple effects for the trade.
Analytical Insight
The press release frames the win as proof of a “smart group of glasses at all price ranges.” For operators, the real takeaway is that Benoit’s inventory far exceeds the average NYC fine‑dining cellar—typically 800 to 1,200 bottles. That extra capacity opens a wider tasting palette: French classics from Chassagne‑Montrachet to Sancerre and New World selections from Sonoma and Willamette Valley, all in 750 ml and magnum sizes.
In the broader market, by‑the‑glass sales account for about thirty percent of total wine revenue in full‑service restaurants. Premium by‑the‑glass offerings grew 6.2 % from 2022 to 2025, and 68 percent of millennials favor venues that can provide three or more premium glass options. Restaurants with modest lists risk losing market share to those able to match the right glass at the right price point; a larger, well‑curated inventory gives staff the flexibility to recommend higher‑margin wines without locking guests into full bottles.
Stakeholder Guidance
- On‑premise operators: If diners skim over three premium options and leave with lower spend, consider expanding your list of premium glasses. A broader inventory can convert casual orders into higher‑margin sales.
- Distributors: Be ready to supply larger volumes of Bordeaux and select New World varietals to restaurants that have shown a willingness to invest in extensive by‑the‑glass programs.
- Retail buyers: The thirty‑percent share of wine revenue from glass sales is not static; as diners demand more variety, venues with larger inventories will dominate the high‑end segment.
Closing Note
Benoit New York’s award demonstrates that a well‑curated, large by‑the‑glass inventory can earn critical acclaim and commercial advantage. Operators who match its breadth—especially in Bordeaux—and who anticipate the millennial preference for multiple premium options are likely to outperform venues with narrower glass lists. Distributors should align supply chains with those restaurants’ expanded needs, ensuring the right bottlings are available when demand spikes.
Original Press Release
Alain Ducasse's Midtown Bistro Earns Silver Star for Best Bordeaux Wine List alongside the Golden Star for Best By-the-Glass Program
NEW YORK, NY – Benoit New York, Alain Ducasse's contemporary French bistro in Midtown Manhattan, has been named winner of Best By-the-Glass Wine Program and finalist for Best Bordeaux Wine List at the 2026 Star Wine List Awards for New York.
The recognition marks the culmination of Benoit's commitment to making serious wine accessible. From a cellar of 1,900 bottles, the restaurant has curated a by-the-glass program that allows guests to experience exceptional wines—whether for a Midtown business lunch, a pre-theatre dinner, or an evening celebration—without the commitment of a full bottle.
“Wine is essential to French gastronomy; it elevates the meal, honors the season, and connects the table to the vineyard," says Alain Ducasse. "Selection matters. Quality matters. That's what our wine program at Benoit represents. A serious wine program requires careful selection and deep knowledge. That’s how our team built a cellar that serves every occasion.”
Star Wine List juror Doug Frost MS MW praised the program's ambition and execution: "The options on this by-the-glass offering are almost too much—though no wine lover ever said such a thing—with an emphasis upon French wine, exciting glasses poured from both 750 milliliter bottles and magnums, and the producers chosen are absolutely top of the line, if not a few cult leaders. It's a very smart group of glasses at all price ranges."
From Alsace Riesling at the wine bar to Chassagne-Montrachet or 2005 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru paired with Benoit's famous filet mignon; from Sancerre alongside the legendary poulet rôti to lighter Saint-Joseph for afternoon business lunches, Benoit's by-the-glass selection offers wines for every season and every style of French gastronomy. The program spans Burgundy's greatest producers, Loire Valley classics, and carefully chosen bottles from Sonoma to Willamette Valley, each selected to complement the precision and seasonality of Benoit’s kitchen while also offering a complete experience at the wine bar in its own right.
The dual honors highlight Benoit's deep Bordeaux selection alongside its innovative by-the-glass offerings, a combination rarely achieved at the highest level in New York dining.
The recognition from Star Wine List—the international guide to the world's best bars and restaurants for wine lovers—marks the culmination of Benoit's commitment to making serious wine accessible. Now in its fourth year of recognizing New York venues, Star Wine List conducts expert-judged awards across 14 territories annually, evaluating wine programs based on quality, diversity, value, and the expertise behind the selection.
The 2026 New York awards were judged by an independent panel representing the pinnacle of wine expertise: Mikk Parre (ASI Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa & the Middle East 2024), Yannick Benjamin MS (Advanced Sommelier, co-founder of Contento and Wine on Wheels), and Doug Frost MS MW (one of only four individuals in the world to hold both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine titles simultaneously). Together, they evaluated each nominee through rigorous criteria assessing cellar depth, curation philosophy, staff expertise, and effectiveness across diverse dining occasions.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Benoit New York Wins Best By The Glass Wine Program At Star Wine List…
- Celebrating Benoit New York A Modern Take On French Bistro Dining
- The Focus And Challenges Of A Premium Wine By The Glass Program
Source: BevNET