A Cincinnati wine bar is getting some national recognition after being named a top wine bar among professional sommeliers in a recent Food & Wine article.
Hart & Cru, a boutique, European-style wine shop and tasting room in Pendleton, made this prestigious list — a list mostly dominated by wine bars in bigger cities like New York City, London and Milan.
"To be listed next to what I believe to be some of the world's very best wine bars, spearheaded by some of the world's very best sommeliers is, to say the least, an incredible honor,” Hart & Cru founder Kevin Hart said in a press release.
In the article, professional sommeliers Dustin Wilson, Nicole Bull, Victoria James and Femi Oyediran identified three key components in what sets a wine bar apart as exceptional: a strong selection of wine, cozy ambiance and great hospitality and food offerings that pair well with wine. It’s been Hart & Cru’s mission to excel in those areas since opening in 2021.
Starting with the wine, Hart & Cru’s tasting room offers a rotating selection of glass pours and bottles from some of the best wine producers, regions and varietals. Hart told CityBeat in 2021 that his appreciation for wine comes in part from his childhood, when his grandparents grew fruits and vegetables among larger fields of corn and soy on their farm in northwest Ohio.
“When I was younger I couldn’t wait to get away from it, get into the city life and so forth,” Hart told CityBeat. “But the older I become, I think a major part of where my palate is and where it’s developed is due to my grandma teaching me when a plum is right to pick off of a tree, what’s an underripe raspberry, what corn on the cob is actually supposed to taste like.”
Hart said he’s made it his focus to make wine accessible without downgrading it. And Hart & Cru’s wine offerings are based on the quality of the bottle’s contents, not the prestige on the label, with Hart describing his brand and mission as discovering and curating passionate farmers who make world-class wine.
And if you’re looking for cozy ambiance, Hart & Cru’s got it. The wine bar is tucked away in an intimate space in Pendleton that manages to be both warm and inviting and bright and airy, with a distinct Old-World European charm in its exposed brick walls, collection of bottles displayed and secluded outdoor patio.
As for food, that’s also top of mind for Hart. As he told CityBeat, he believes some foods just pair better with wine and vice versa.
“If people walk in and start asking questions about wine or they’re intimidated, to me, the question is ‘What are you in the mood for?’” Hart said. “I love asking a lot of food questions.”
Hart & Cru offers what it calls “European comfort food light bites.” Think nuts, olives, bread from Allez Bakery with oil or butter, caviar and French cheese puffs known as gougères. These dishes are inspired by Hart’s European travels.
Hart & Cru is located at 1206 Broadway St. in Pendleton. You can also shop for bottles in their online store. More info: hartandcru.com.
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