At least part of the motivation at Della Femina for keeping wines by glass reasonably priced is to have affordable choices to go with their $35 prix fix dinners during the week. I agree with their thinking. No one going out for a casual weekday meal wants to drive up the bill with an expensive bottle—and inexpensive bottles are scarce in Hamptons restaurants.
Most of the glasses are $10, and the selection is so good and balanced that there is little need to choose the few that cost more.
Some of the $10 glasses that stood out in my sampling:
Peconic Bay Riesling, North Fork: mellow, smooth, juicy, and should match well with a number of dishes.
Falanghina, Terredora Dipaolo: an ancient and distinctive white grape from southern Italy with body and character.
Teatown Merlot, Napa: what a good California Merlot should be: tranquil, rich, with copious and balanced fruit.
Project 3000 Syrah, from Washington: big and concentrated, with flavors of black cherries and spicy nectar.
But if you absolutely must indulge and order the priciest wine on a list, it’s only $15 and absolutely delicious: a predominantly Mazuelo blend from Spain’s Joan d”Anguera.
Della Femina, 99 North Main Street, East Hampton