26 restaurants in Fort Myers, Naples earned awards for best wine lists

Lee and Collier County wine lovers have some new additions to make to their favorite restaurant list. The New-Press reports on Wine Spectator Magazine's winners of the Restaurant Awards. This annual competition honors restaurants with the best wine lists, internationally.

Twenty six restaurants in Lee and Collier Counties (18 in Naples) earned recognition. That's an outstanding accomplishment considering more than 3,700 dining destinations in the U.S. and more than 75 countries made the list of winners.

Sale E Pepe Restaurant on Marco Island was awarded a Best of Award of Excellence this year from Wine spectator Magazine. (Photo: Corey Perrine/Naples Daily News)

Each year, panel. comprised of expert judges considers variables like location and quality of wine producers, price, style, menu pairings, service and number of selections.

Naples Bleu Provence earns the Grand Award for the fourth consecutive year in a row. This select distinction (only belongs to 91 restaurants worldwide) honors the best wine programs including top producers, harmony with the menu, and superior presentation.

The French and Mediterranean restaurant opened near downtown Naples in the year 1999 by Jacques and Lysielle Cariot.

"We are thrilled to be included in this select group," Bleu Provence states via news release. "Celebrating our fourteenth year of being recognized and awarded by Wine Spectator is something we once dreamed of."

More: Search all of the 2018 Restaurant Award winners

See the list of Southwest Florida restaurants honored in wine Spectator's 2018 Restaurant Awards here.