Parisian ambitions, Indiana prices, Wednesday surprises
South Bend · French / Bistro · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 9, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Brasserie 23’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Brasserie 23 feels like someone in South Bend genuinely tried to build a proper French wine program — and mostly pulled it off. The list leans global with a clear French backbone, which is exactly what you want when the menu is speaking Parisian. It's ambitious for the market, and that ambition earns some respect right up front.
France and Italy anchor the list, with Tuscany getting enough attention that the kitchen has hosted dedicated Brunello di Montalcino tasting events — that's not a casual commitment. The global reach is real, pulling in regions beyond the usual suspects without losing the plot. There's also a nice nod to local identity through their partnership with Dablon Vineyards out of Michigan, which gives the list a sense of place that most French-concept restaurants skip entirely. Gaps exist — the data doesn't reveal deep cellar depth or serious verticals — but for South Bend, this is a serious effort.
We're looking at an estimated 10–16 BTG options, which is a respectable spread for a brasserie of this size. The rotation appears to track with seasonal programming and event-driven features, so what's in the glass changes more than a static list would suggest. We'd like to see more specifics published — a wine program this intentional deserves a visible BTG list.
Brunello di Montalcino (featured Tuscan selection) — Price not published
Any restaurant running dedicated Brunello tasting events is sourcing these bottles with intent, not just padding a list. If you catch one of these on the regular menu, it's likely priced fairly for a room that actually cares about how the wine gets there.
Dablon Vineyards (Michigan selection)
Most diners at a French brasserie will reach straight for the Burgundy or Bordeaux column — and that's fine. But Dablon is a solid Michigan producer and ordering it here is both a value play and a genuinely interesting local story that most people at the table will sleep on.
Generic by-the-glass house pour
With a wine program this invested in Brunello events and Michigan partnerships, defaulting to whatever the house pour is feels like leaving the good stuff on the table. Push the staff for a specific recommendation — the list can clearly do better than the default.
Brunello di Montalcino + Herb and Dijon-crusted rack of lamb
Sangiovese at Brunello level has the structure and savory depth to stand up to lamb without bullying it — the herb crust and the wine's earthy, dried-cherry character are speaking the same language.
Wednesday — Wine Wednesday: all bottles are 23% off, all day.
The Bottom Line
Brasserie 23 is the kind of place that makes you do a double-take when you remember you're in South Bend, Indiana. Come on a Wednesday for 23% off bottles, order the lamb, and let someone talk you into the Brunello.
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