When in Rome: Special Ryder Cup Edition, Sep 29-Oct 1, 2023
It’s not possible to deploy the regular methods that work for us here in the States when evaluating the wine scene in foreign countries. Yes, sorry to say you can find a bad or at least a pedestrian wine list all over Rome. So even though it’s not our regular beat, we feel an obligation to provide some guidance when the Ryder Cup visits Marco Simone, located approximately 45 minutes east of the Trevi Fountain, for what that’s worth. Since I can’t offer you the personal curation you’ve come to know and love, allow me to “curate the curators” who do cover Rome.
Normally I regard Wine Enthusiast as more of an industry mouthpiece than an unbiased consumer resource, but their Italian correspondent Kerin O’Keefe is the real deal. I can’t vouch for her taste in food, but if she likes the wines you’re likely on terra firma. Recommendations for both wine bars and restaurants. Updated May 4, 2023.
Decanter Magazine published a top 10 Rome Restaurants for Wine Lovers in March 2023. To be honest they seem to spend more time describing the decor of the restaurants than they do of the wines, but I’d definitely give them a look.
Punch is an online resource that seems to target bartenders. If you love cocktails, it’s kind of a must follow. They do cover wine from time to time and here’s a brief list of their favorites in Rome.
Short cut: triaging the three sources above, there is only one place that made the cut in all of them. Salumeria Roscioli appears to be a bakery, a deli, a wine bar, and a restaurant. Ms. O’Keefe says they stock “2800 labels,” so that might be enough. Her advice: make reservations.
