My wife and I are huge fans of Chef Daniel Boulud and love his exquisite flagship restaurant DANIEL. (We’re also frequent patrons of several of his other restaurants in Manhattan, including the elegantly intimate Café Boulud on the Upper East Side, Bar Boulud near Columbus Circle and db Bistro Moderne in the Theatre District.)

DANIEL, which is a member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux and boasts two Michelin stars, is known almost as much for its impressive wine list as its award-winning contemporary French cuisine, impeccable service and opulent decor. DANIEL’s expansive wine list currently offers over 2,000 wines from at least 15 countries. For those new to wine or willing to cede wine selection over to the experts, DANIEL also offers wine pairings specifically selected for its tasting menus and its knowledgeable sommeliers are happy to create impromptu wine pairings from its extensive selection of half bottles and wines by the glass. If in doubt, there’s always DANIEL’s private label house wines from Pierre Paillard (Bouzy Grand Cru “Cuvée Daniel” Brut) and Au Bon Climat (“Cuvée Daniel ” Santa Barbara Chardonnay and “Cuvée Daniel” Los Alamos Vineyard Pinot Noir).

DANIEL’s wine list is overseen by Raj Vaidya, Daniel’s Head Sommelier. Vaidya joined DANIEL in the spring of 2009 after holding positions at some of the United States’ most prestigious (and wine-focused) restaurants, such as Cru and Per Se in New York and Gary Danko in San Francisco. In addition, Raj holds various Certificates and Diplomas from The Sommelier Society of America and the Wine and Spirits Education Trusts, and has prior vineyard experience with Robert Sinskey Vineyards in Napa.

DANIEL’s website shares insight into the formation of its wine list: “Traveling through the wine regions of the world, our sommelier has developed special relationships with small, quality-oriented winemakers who sell rare cuvees as well as older vintages of their bottlings that are seldom seen on the market.”

As impressive as DANIEL’s wine list is, however, it’s not just another ode to expense accounts. “We try to present a highly crafted selection of the greatest wines in the world, not just the most expensive or prestigious but the most characterful, honest and beautiful wines,” said Vaidya. That marriage of quality and approachability is reflected in my own experience at DANIEL. During our most recent visit, the sommelier introduced us to a very nice 2011 Chablis 1er Cru from Domaine Louis Michel “Butteaux” ($105) and an intriguing but still budget-friendly 2009 Cornas from Domaine Guillaume Giles ($165). We enjoyed the latter so much that we ordered another bottle the very next night at Café Boulud.

Yet at a Michelin starred restaurant such as DANIEL, wine cannot be the primary focus – and Vaidya clearly understands that the goal of the wine list at DANIEL must be to complement Boulud’s critically-acclaimed cuisine. “Wine is a special thing, and we have a unique opportunity to pair the great wines of the world with the most amazing food matched to them.” And what better wines to complement Boulud’s contemporary French cuisine than the food-friendly wines of Burgundy and the Rhône Valley (regions close to Boulud’s hometown of Lyon), which account for 37 pages of DANIEL’s wine list.

While you can’t go wrong with any selection on DANIEL’s wine list, Vaidya was kind enough to share recommendations in the following broad categories:

Splurge-Worthy:
Domaine Henri Jayer Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru “Cros Parentoux” 2001 ($10,000): “A rare chance to taste the greatest producer of burgundy in history perfectly stored since release.”

Hidden Gem:
Von Schubert Riesling Kabinett “Maximin Grünauser Abtsberg” 2010 ($85): “An incredibly precise and focused off-dry Riesling from the greatest estate in the Ruwer.”

On a Budget:
Domaine l’Aujardiere Vin de France “Chardonnay” 2012 ($55): “A superb and mineral Chardonnay from a great producer in the Muscadet area of the Loire — like a baby Chablis and only $55!”

With DANIEL’s sophisticated menu and wine list, it is a destination that will appeal equally to the gourmand and oenophile.

DANIEL
60 E. 65^th Street, New York, NY 10065 (Upper East Side), 212.933.5252
Wine Manager: Daniel Johnnes
Head Sommelier: Raj Vaidya