Great burgers, wine list phoning it in
Jefferson Pointe · Fort Wayne · American – Gourmet Burgers & Pub Fare · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 26, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at BRU Burger Bar fits on a single page — nine options, no bottles, no pretense. It reads less like a curated program and more like someone checked a box labeled 'wine' and called it a day. That's fine for a burger bar, but it doesn't mean we have to pretend it's interesting.
Eight by-the-glass pours cover the bases you'd expect from a casual chain: Caposaldo Pinot Grigio, Clos Du Bois Chardonnay, Matua Sauvignon Blanc, Mark West Pinot Noir, Robert Hall Merlot, Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon, Charles & Charles Red Blend, and a Tinto Rey Rosé. Every single one is a high-volume, widely distributed commercial brand — the kind you'll find on the shelf at any grocery store. There's no regional focus, no independent producers, nothing that suggests anyone consulted anyone about this list. The lone sparkling option is a 187ml Freixenet Blanc de Blancs, which is essentially a mini bottle of Cava-adjacent bubbles.
Eight pours sounds generous until you realize they're all from the same corner of the commercial wine universe. Pours come in 6 oz ($10) or 9 oz ($14), which is a nice touch for choice — but the selection doesn't give you much to get excited about regardless of pour size. No rotation, no seasonal additions, no sense that this list has been touched since opening day.
Tinto Rey Rosé — $10 (6 oz)
At $10 for a 6 oz pour of a rosé that retails around $15, the markup is the most reasonable on the list relative to what you're getting — and it's the most food-friendly option with a burger, especially anything with a spicy kick.
Charles & Charles Red Blend
It won't win any awards, but this Washington State blend consistently overdelivers for its price point and has more personality than the California reds surrounding it on this list. Most people reaching for a red here will default to the Cab — don't.
Clos Du Bois Chardonnay
A $11 retail bottle that you're paying $14 for in a 9 oz pour — that math works out to nearly $22 per bottle equivalent. Clos Du Bois Chardonnay is aggressively oaked grocery-store wine, and at that markup, it's not doing you any favors. Order a craft beer instead.
Matua Sauvignon Blanc + Classic BRU Burger
The Matua's bright acidity and citrus-forward profile cut through the fat of a beef patty better than anything else on this list. It's not a glamorous pairing, but it's the most functional one available here — and sometimes that's all you need.
❌ The Bottom Line
BRU Burger Bar is genuinely great at what it does — burgers, fries, a cold beer. The wine list exists as an afterthought for guests who don't drink beer, and it should be treated accordingly. Order a craft draft, save the wine for somewhere that cares.
Downtown-adjacent / Near West · Fort Wayne · Italian market and deli
Antonuccio's isn't a restaurant wine program — it's something more interesting: a genuine Italian market where you can eat well and leave with better bottles than most Fort Wayne restaurants will ever pour you. Come for lunch, leave with a Chianti, zero regrets.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Northwest (Jefferson Pointe / Illinois Rd corridor) · Fort Wayne · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's Fort Wayne is a reliably well-run steakhouse wine program — proper storage, real glassware, a sommelier on the floor, and enough pours by the glass to satisfy a full table. The list won't challenge you, and the markups will sting, but if you want a classic California Cab with your prime beef and you want it done right, this place delivers.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Jefferson Pointe / West Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne · Asian Fusion
Nawa is a fine place to eat; the wine list won't embarrass anyone, but it won't excite them either. Grab the Amarone or the Broquel Malbec, ignore the celebrity bottles, and let the food do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / West Central · Fort Wayne · American Tavern / Bar Food
Henry's is a bar that happens to take its wine list seriously enough to matter, and the Wednesday half-price deal is the kind of thing you should have already texted your friends about. Don't overthink it — show up, order the Belleruche, and feel good about your Wednesday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Southwest Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne · Winery with American Grill / Bistro Fare
Vinland Reserve is the rare Indiana winery that earns a second look — barrel-aged hybrids, honest Bordeaux imports, and some of the most approachable pricing in the region. Wine Wednesday alone makes this worth adding to the rotation.
Surprising Depth
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Southwest / Time Corners · Fort Wayne · American
Catablu is exactly what it needs to be for its neighborhood — a reliable, thoughtfully maintained list that won't embarrass you on a date night or bore you entirely. It's not a destination wine list, but it's a solid supporting act for a kitchen that clearly takes food seriously.
Solid Range
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.