Okay, so I am not a restaurant critic. But, in some ways, after working more than 20 years in restaurants, both in the front and in the back of the house, I feel that I could be. People that know me, however, know that wine has become my specialty, so here I offer up MY random OPINIONS about my favorite city's wine lists... Remember, great wine lists can be found all over the Bay Area, but here is my own substantiated Best of the Best...

Best Short List: TABLESPOON
Best Medium List: JARDINIERE
Best Long List: GARY DANKO
Best Over-the-Top List: MICHAEL MINA
Best Newcomer: MYTH
Best California List: PLUMPJACK
Best French List: THE FIFTH FLOOR
Best Italian List: Tie: ZUPPA & A16
Best Spanish List: PIPERADE
Best German and/or Austrian List: SLANTED DOOR
Best Greek List: KOKKARI
Best Place to Try New Wines: BACAR
Best Place to Splurge: MICHAEL MINA
Best Wine Bar: NECTAR
Best Wine Service: MASAS
Best Wine List for a Small Restaurant: FRASCATI
Best Something-for-Everyone List: Tie: FARRALLON & BOULEVARD
Best Overall List: RUBICON

If you thought this was controversial, look out next month for my "Worst Wine Lists" blog...