Beer House Wine List, And It Shows
Latham · Albany · American
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 9, 2026
RagingWine reviewed BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Albany’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You're at a brewhouse, and the wine list makes sure you don't forget it. What lands on the table is essentially a greatest hits of grocery store endcaps — familiar labels, nothing challenging, nothing that suggests anyone in the building has spent real time thinking about wine. The beer program is clearly where the love goes.
The list reads like a shortcut: Apothic Red, Dark Horse Cab, Menage à Trois, Josh Cellars — these are checkout-aisle wines that exist because people recognize the bottle, not because they're good. California dominates, with a light nod toward Washington via Chateau Ste. Michelle and 14 Hands. Italy shows up exactly once with Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio and a Chloe Pinot Grigio, neither of which is going to make anyone reconsider their priorities. There are no producers here that signal curation, no regional surprises, no by-the-glass rotation worth tracking.
The by-the-glass program is essentially the whole list poured by the portion — which isn't a compliment when the list is this shallow. Pricing stays low enough that you won't feel robbed, but you're choosing between brands that coast on marketing budgets, not winemaking. If someone at your table insists on wine, it's fine; just don't expect a conversation starter.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $15
Ste. Michelle's Columbia Valley Riesling consistently punches above its price point — it's crisp, has actual character, and costs less than a craft cocktail here. On a list this thin, it's the clearest win.
14 Hands Merlot
At $20, this Washington Merlot is quietly better than its neighbors on the list. 14 Hands works with solid Columbia Valley fruit and the Merlot has enough dark plum and structure to hold its own — easy to overlook when Apothic is shouting from the next line over.
Chloe Pinot Grigio
At $35, this is the most expensive bottle on the list and it's a mass-market Italian Pinot Grigio with a pretty label. You're paying a premium for nothing but positioning — the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling at less than half the price is a more honest drink.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling + Avocado Egg Rolls
BJ's Avocado Egg Rolls are sweet, fried, and come with a tamarind dipping sauce — that residual sugar in the Ste. Michelle Riesling cuts right through the richness and plays off the sweet-savory sauce without a fight.
The Bottom Line
BJ's is a brewhouse first, and the wine list is an afterthought that confirms it. Come for the craft beers, order a Riesling if you must, and don't let anyone talk you into that $35 Chloe.
· Albany · Italian, Steakhouse, Seafood
Choose by budget, check bottle size, and confirm the current menu. We haven't independently assessed service, glassware or storage.
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse
Order by the glass and explore: the posted menu gives you Riesling, Chablis, Cahors and Rioja without a bottle commitment. Pentimento at $16 is our price-conscious red starting point. Check the current list before ordering; the complete cellar, service and storage haven't been independently verified.
West Albany · Albany · Italian
Grappa ’72 gives you several ways into Italian wine without committing to a prestige bottle. Our move is Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva at $47/bottle for the table, or Bigi Orvietto at $9/glass if you want your own white. Confirm the current vintage and price when ordering.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown/Clinton Square · Albany · Modern Mexican / Latin-inspired
Ama Cocina isn't a destination wine bar, but it's a Wild Card worth respecting — a food-forward Latin spot that actually thought about its wine list instead of phoning it in. Come for the tacos, order the Albariño, and be pleasantly surprised.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Warehouse District/Riverfront · Albany · Wine Bar / American Small Plates
The Shaker & Vine is Albany's best argument for the self-pour wine bar format — the markup is shockingly fair, the riverside setting earns its keep, and the list is approachable without being embarrassing. Don't come hunting for rare producers, but do come for a relaxed pour with a view.
Solid Range
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Colonie · Albany · Classic Italian-American
Lombardo's wine list is the culinary equivalent of a comfortable booth — nothing revelatory, but nothing offensive, and it gets the job done alongside a plate of baked ziti. Send a friend here for the food and tell them to order the Barolo if they want to feel like they tried.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Baltimore · American
Give the international and local sections a look before defaulting to Burgundy. Sula at $70 and Old Westminster at $90 offer different budget options. These are posted bottle prices, not guaranteed stock; confirm availability. This menu guide doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
· Key West · American
Caroline's Café is not a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — the identical pricing across all five house labels makes that abundantly clear. If you're in Key West looking for something interesting in your glass, keep walking; if you just need a cold pour of Chardonnay with your lunch and aren't asking questions, $8 gets you there without drama.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kerns · Portland · American
Noble Rot is the rare restaurant wine program that would hold up as a standalone wine bar — deep list, sharp staff, fair prices, and a view that makes the whole experience feel earned. Send your friends here. Send yourself here.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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