Wine Spectator lists include Charlotte

Among the latest Wine Spectator awards, The Angus Barn in Raleigh won its Grand Award, and 20 Charlotte restaurants were noted in the group's three categories.

Blue, Del Frisco's and Fig Tree got the awkwardly named "Best of Award of Excellence," while Awards of Excellence went to BLT Steak; Bonterra; Capital Grille; Chima; Copper; Fleming's; Gallery; Mama Ricotta's; McNinch House; Mimosa Grill; Morton's; Ruth's Chris (both); Sullivan's Steakhouse; The Palm; Upstream; and Zink.

In 2012, 2,842 restaurants won Awards of Excellence, which recognize wine lists that offer "a good selection of quality wines that thematically match a restaurant’s cuisine." For the "Best," won by 878, lists are supposed to show "significant vintage depth or superior breadth in one or more major wine regions." The Grand Award places "generally offer 1,500 or more selections, with superior breadth and depth in many ... regions"; 75 places have that in the 2012 list.