For Benjamin Appleby, nothing is more exhilarating than the hunt for the best bottles of wine.
The Abe & Louie’s Wine Director has been on an ongoing mission to seek out new, unique, and even nowhere-in-Boston vintages to build on the beloved Back Bay steakhouse’s wine list, which isn’t a list at all. “It’s a book,” says Appleby, “an impressively delicious book.”
The result? Hundreds of new bottles, a new secret underground wine cellar, a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, and a team of very happy sommeliers.
So, what’s in Ben’s secret stash?
“What excites me the most, are the rare finds that you just can’t get anywhere else in Boston,” says Appleby, “and with summer finally in full-swing, it’s time for unique whites to shine alongside the flavor of the fresh seafood dishes we’ll be debuting this season.” Some of the vintages Appleby looks forward to serving this summer from his new wine cellar tucked beneath busy Boylston Street include a 2021 Getariako Txakolina Rosé, Txomin Etxaniz, a 2020 Schramsberg, Brut Blanc de Blanks, North Coast, and a 2016 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Louis Latour.
For Appleby and his team of knowledgeable somms, the new additions to the Abe & Louie’s wine list are a treat to chat about with guests and will pair perfectly with the seasonal dishes being served from the stellar culinary staff. “Our chefs’ talents really shine through in the new summer menu, with such fresh and flavorful dishes as Mediterranean Tuna Tartare, Seared Seared Day Boat Scallops with corn succotash and tomato bacon vinaigrette, Lobster Dumplings with saffron-fennel broth, and so many more, says Appleby. "These new wines add an extra level to our elevated offerings throughout the restaurant.” he adds, “and our guests get excited when we suggest an exclusive vintage from the cellar, that they can’t get anywhere else in the city.”
It’s that extra level of high-end service that’s made Abe & Louie’s a Boston classic and one that has played a part in people’s lives for close to 25 years. Whether you’re sipping in the summer sun or shade on the Abe & Louie’s patio or celebrating a milestone occasion in the stunning dining room, the new wine list is sure to present the perfect sips for any palate.
To learn more about the new summer menu and many wines added to the Abe & Louie’s book, visit abeandlouies.com.
Photography by: Gleb Budilovsky
