Old World Wines, Tacos, Winston-Salem Surprise
· Winston Salem · Modern Mexican · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · August 31, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Alma Mexicana’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Alma Mexicana, you expect margaritas and maybe a short list of big-brand reds. What you get instead is a wine program that leans into Portugal, Spain, France, and even Champagne — a genuinely unexpected set of directions for a modern Mexican spot in Winston-Salem. It's not a deep list, but someone here clearly thought about it.
The regional focus — Iberian Peninsula and France — is a legitimately interesting choice for a taco-forward menu. There's real logic to it: the high-acid, food-friendly wines from Portugal and Spain are natural partners for spiced, citrus-bright dishes, even if the pairing isn't the obvious one. We don't have the full list in front of us, but the curatorial instinct points to someone who knows what they're doing, at least directionally. The gaps in depth are real, but the vision is there.
By-the-glass details are hazy — we couldn't pin down exact counts or specific pours. That said, a program with this kind of regional focus usually offers at least a handful of solid glass options, and the casual, patio-friendly vibe suggests they're not pouring everything bottle-only. We'd ask the server what's open — there's a reasonable chance something interesting is already breathing.
The Bottom Line
Alma Mexicana is a genuine wild card — a modern Mexican restaurant in Winston-Salem with a wine program that's quietly pointing at Old World Europe instead of the expected California house pour. We need the full list to give you the real numbers, but the instinct here is good enough to warrant ordering something other than a margarita.
· Winston Salem · Wine Bar / Bottle Shop
The Caviste is doing something genuinely weird for Winston-Salem — a curated, Austria-only bottle shop with prices that should embarrass most restaurant wine lists. If you're even slightly curious about Grüner Veltliner or natural-leaning reds, this is a low-risk, high-reward detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Winston Salem · Winery Tasting Room / Light Bites
Divine Llama is a fun, farm-genuine detour if you're exploring North Carolina wine country and want something local and unpretentious. Don't come for depth or discovery beyond the estate — come for the story, the setting, and a glass of Traminette you probably wouldn't have ordered anywhere else.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Winston Salem · American Cafe
West End Cafe isn't a wine destination, but it's a perfectly decent place to drink something decent without overpaying for it. Send a friend here if they want wine with dinner and aren't looking to make an event out of it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Winston Salem · Wine Bar / Market
Little Pep is doing something genuinely uncommon for Winston-Salem: a short, confident, all-by-the-glass natural wine list with real producer cred and fair prices. Send a curious friend here; skip sending someone who wants a Napa Cab.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Winston Salem · Wine Bar / Small Plates
Manolo's is a genuine surprise for Winston-Salem — a focused, serious wine program that gives you by-the-glass access to bottles most restaurants lock behind full-bottle commitments. The markup is not subtle, but you're paying for curation and access, and if you pick smart, the experience delivers.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Winston Salem · Winery Restaurant / Small Plates
Medaloni Cellars is doing something genuinely interesting in Winston-Salem: building a single-producer list that doesn't bore you into ordering a cocktail. If you have any curiosity about what North Carolina wine can actually do, this is the place to test it.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Naperville · Modern Mexican
Quiubo's wine list is short, safe, and priced reasonably enough that it won't ruin your night — but it won't add anything to it either. Stick to the Juan Gil or the Cava, enjoy your tacos, and don't come here expecting the wine to be part of the experience.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Laredo · Modern Mexican
The wine list at Cantina Laredo Laredo is functional, priced fairly for a casual chain, and completely devoid of ambition — but honestly, you're probably here for the guacamole and a frozen margarita anyway. If you do order wine, grab the Marqués de Cáceres Rosé and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Aurora · Modern Mexican
Molino Chido is doing something genuinely unusual: building a wine list that reflects curiosity and culture in a space where most restaurants would just throw up a Kendall-Jackson. If you're in Aurora and you care about what's in your glass, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
