The American Restaurant

Wine List

Welcome to The American Restaurant and Event Space. Over it’s more than 35 year history, The American has been host to a true ‘Who’s Who’ of the Food and Beverage world. From the start, the finest culinary minds of the day were recruited to lay the foundation for this icon. James Beard, Joe Baum and Warren Platner all used their professional expertise to define and redefine the American culinary scene here in Kansas City.

Our winelist has always been held in just as high regard as the foundations of the restaurant. As a sommelier, one is not just a steward of wine but more a steward of the wine cellar. Here at The American Restaurant it is truly a ‘Stewardship’. I have wines that were purchased by other sommeliers years ago, to be sold to you by me. They knew when they purchased these bottles, they would never see them sold. They bought them for me to sell to you. I, in turn, purchase a small segment of wine that I will never see sold in my stewardship. I buy it for the next generation of sommeliers here at The American Restaurant. Just as wine is a living breathing thing, so is a wine cellar. It is literally and figuratively fluid. It is rare in these days to see a cellar with as much depth in region as well as age. Just as one can never step in the same river twice, one can never order from the same cellar twice. It changes and evolves. This is not the same cellar as it was when I arrived three years ago. It will not be the same cellar tomorrow as it was today. Enjoy today’s cellar today, and come back and enjoy a new cellar tomorrow or the next day.

This list is arranged from lightest to heaviest when possible. We have added helpful codes and a short list of staff favorites to make it a bit smaller and a bit easier to choose.

When choosing a wine from this list, look for the abbreviations:

This is a list of my favorite wines, so please ask if you have questions on the vintage, style, winemaker, area. They are all important. But remember one thing, drink what you like. We stand behind every bottle. If, for any reason, you are unhappy with the selection, we will replace it with something you do like. We would like you to enjoy every aspect of your evening with us.

We are also fortunate to have one of the best collections of Riedel Decanters. We believe Decanting young wines in Riedel decanters gives the wine a chance to bloom and attain a stage of development that normally requires years of aging--liberating the aromas, intensifying the fruitiness of the mid-palate and rounding out the texture. The sensuous curves of Riedel’s new lead crystal, mouth blown decanters are not only seductive, but functional. And it’s just plain fun. Check out www.riedelwebstore.com for more information.

Bottoms Up,
Jamie Jamison
General Manager/Wine Director

Download Our Wine List (PDF)

"The City's Best Wine List" - The New York Times

Our cellar has 1,500 wines.

For a sweeter taste...After Dinner Indulgences (PDF)

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