Rising among the best wine venues in the nation, Nouvelle Bar & Bottle in Louisville’s NuLu area has received the 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Renowned for its bold and approachable wine selection, Nouvelle keeps attracting national interest, particularly for its well-known grower Champagne program, cleverly labeled “A Completely Irresponsible Champagne List.”
With more than 350 bottles on hand—including rare cellar selections from John’s Secret Stash—the list of small producers and terroir-driven wines from around the world highlights the bar. Certified sommelier John Grisanti, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, states Nouvelle was designed to make wine seem approachable rather than predictable.
“This recognition reflects the hard work of our team and our commitment to making world-class wine experiences accessible right here in Louisville,” Grisanti said.
Beyond the bottle, Nouvelle provides vivid community programming including the Riesling Riders Festival, Beats, Bites & Burgundy, a strong Wine Club and continuous education programs involving guest producers.
This most recent accolade solidifies Nouvelle’s reputation not only as a local favorite but also as among the greatest locations in the United States for Champagne drinking and wine exploration in a friendly environment.
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This article appears in Jun 20 – Jul 3, 2025.