Luxist

Few others can claim as much gravitas as Joe Bastianich in pairing great wine with great food. Known as America’s foremost authority on Italian wine, his books, Vino Italiano, and its companion buying guide, written with sommelier and journalist David Lynch, are recognized as the ne plus ultra of the genre. Just released this fall, his third book, Grandi Vini, an opinionated tour of Italy's 89 finest wines, will no doubt be the go-to source for the best Italy has to offer. He has received Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional Awards from Bon Appétit magazine and James Beard Foundation, and in 2008 the James Beard Foundation honored him once again by presenting he and Mario with the much revered Outstanding Restaurateur Award.