With a cellar containing more than 1,200 selections, this longtime Ann Arbor favorite is one of the top restaurants in Michigan for wine lovers. The wine list covers a wide range of regions, each with multiple producers and vintages.

Though diners are well-versed at pairing wines with European dishes, many are less capable when it comes to selecting the ideal wine to accompany Asian flavors. Even experienced wine drinkers have difficulty finding the right pairings. Pacific Rim features many wines rarely seen on other lists (including a nice selection of sake), perfect to pair with menu items like their miso-marinated sablefish and five-spice duck.

As the name suggests, wine is front and center at this downtown restaurant and wine bar. Vinology features weekly wine dinners with James Beard award-winning chef Alex Young tailoring a multi-course menu to match a selection of featured wines. The glass-enclosed wine cellar is available for a secluded private dining experience.

Taste Kitchen’s ambiance and seafood-focused menu with French and Vietnamese influences makes for an elegant date night experience. The wine list features a vast selection of wines from around the world, including the area’s largest selection of sparkling wines. The wine list is broken out by both color and flavor profile so that both wine novices and experts can find that perfect aromatic white or earthy red with ease.

The Mediterranean region shines on both the food and wine menus at Mediterrano, where dishes like grilled Spanish octopus and Moroccan ribeye are served alongside an extensive selection of Spanish, French, and Italian wines. However, the new world wines from premiere Western Hemisphere wineries will please fans of more fruit-forward styles.

While Zola Bistro’s thoughtfully made wine list is more compact than as others listed here, an emphasis on juicy varietals complement the Mediterranean-influenced fare. The staff ensures that there’s a good selection of sparkling wines in the collection to pair with brunch at this popular weekend destination.

Pairing food and wines that hail from the same region is not just a matter of placemaking; usually both the cuisines and the wines are developed to enhance each other. Italy is perhaps the best example of this as its lighter, acidic wines improve and are improved by Italian food. Paesano’s large collection of all-Italian wines perfectly accompany its rustic Italian pastas.

This downtown Ypsilanti spot has been collecting accolades for its ever-changing menu featuring a healthy dose of influences from Louisiana. The cuisine can make pairing tricky, but the wine list has smaller producers and styles that pair well with the diverse spices and techniques used in the cuisine.