Sparkling-Forward and Rosé-Ready in Atlanta
· Atlanta · Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 26, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at By George reads like someone built it specifically for a Saturday brunch crowd — heavy on bubbles, rosé, and crowd-friendly whites. That's not a knock, exactly, but if you showed up hoping to find a Grower Champagne or an interesting Burgundy, you're going to have a rough time. Sixty-four labels sounds promising until you realize a meaningful chunk of that real estate is Whispering Angel and Mionetto.
The list is organized into intuitive categories — Sparkling, Rosé, Fresh/Crisp Whites, Richer Whites — which makes navigation easy, but the selections within those buckets rarely surprise. The sparkling section has some range: Henri Maire's Crémant de Jura 'Jurassique' is a genuine standout among a sea of Prosecco and entry-level Champagne, while Krug Grand Cuvée sits at the top end for the table that wants to show off. Rosé gets the most attention and shows the most depth, with Domaine Lafond's Tavel and Domaine de Figueirasse from Languedoc-Roussillon offering real Southern French character alongside the obligatory Whispering Angel. The whites are where the list loses steam — you're largely looking at commercial Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand and California, with Dr. Loosen's Dr. L Riesling being the one producer worth seeking out.
By-the-glass specifics aren't published, so we can't confirm what's actually pouring by the stem on any given night. Given the list's composition, expect the usual suspects — Mionetto, Whispering Angel, and probably a Sauvignon Blanc — to anchor the program. If staff is cycling glass pours without clear communication, ask directly before defaulting to a bottle.
Henri Maire Crémant de Jura 'Jurassique' — null
Crémant de Jura is consistently one of the best value sparkling categories in the world, and Henri Maire's 'Jurassique' delivers real complexity — biscuity, a little nutty, genuinely interesting — at a fraction of what you'd pay for a comparable Champagne. On a list dominated by Prosecco and entry Champagne, this is the smart play at the bubbles end.
Domaine Lafond Les Queyrades Tavel Rosé 2021
Tavel is the only French AOC dedicated exclusively to rosé, and Domaine Lafond makes a serious, food-driven version — fuller-bodied and more structured than the pink-and-pretty crowd pleasers surrounding it. Most tables will reach for the Angel without blinking, and that's exactly why you shouldn't.
Krug Grand Cuvée Brut
Krug is exceptional wine — nobody's arguing that — but ordering it here, where there's no indication the storage conditions are optimized or that staff can speak to its provenance, is a gamble that doesn't pay off. At restaurant markup on a prestige Champagne, you're almost certainly overpaying for the privilege of having it poured in a room that isn't built for it.
Domaine De Figueirasse Languedoc-Roussillon Rosé 2021 + Charcuterie or any composed starter with cured meats
Languedoc rosés tend to carry more savory weight than their Provence counterparts — a little more grip, a little more Mediterranean herb character — which makes them ideal against fatty, salty cured meats. It's a better match than the reflexive Whispering Angel grab, and it's the kind of pairing a smart friend would steer you toward.
✔️ The Bottom Line
By George is a fine place to drink wine if you know what you're walking into — a curated-but-safe list built for a stylish crowd that wants rosé and bubbles without friction. Come for the Crémant and the Tavel; don't expect to find anything that'll make you rethink your relationship with wine.
West Midtown · Atlanta · Alpine / European
Avize is doing something genuinely rare in Atlanta: building a short wine list with actual conviction, pointed straight at the corners of Europe that deserve more attention. If you eat here and don't order something you've never heard of, you're doing it wrong.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Gastropub / Rooftop
Nine Mile Station isn't a destination for wine nerds, but it's a perfectly decent place to drink something cold and recognizable while the Atlanta skyline does the heavy lifting. Come for the view, drink the Crémant, ignore the Rombauer.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Wine Bar
Vin Atl is doing something most Atlanta wine bars aren't: curating a short list with genuine intention instead of padding it with safe bets. At these prices, it's worth a stop even if you only come for one bottle.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Rooftop Bar / Small Plates
St. Julep is a place to drink wine, not a place to drink well. If you're here for the skyline and the scene, pour the rosé and enjoy it — just don't come expecting the list to surprise you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
BeltLine · Atlanta · Cocktail Bar with Kitchen
The James Room is a cocktail bar first and a wine destination never — but the list is competent enough to get you through a bottle without frustration. Come for the atmosphere, order the Cava or the Sancerre, and let the cocktail menu handle the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Spanish Tapas
Boqueria's wine list is a dependable, Spain-only program that mostly does right by the food — fair prices, solid producers, and enough range to keep the table happy across a long night of tapas. Don't come expecting discovery; do come expecting to drink well without your wallet taking a hit.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
La Jolla · Chula Vista · Contemporary American
Nine-Ten is a genuinely good restaurant with a competent wine program — the sommelier is present, the list is legitimate, and the setting earns the price of admission. But the markups are aggressive enough that you'll want to be selective, because this list can eat your wallet if you reach for the obvious names.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Winston Salem · Contemporary American
Sir Winston is the rare hotel restaurant that makes a real effort on wine, and for Winston-Salem, that counts for a lot. Pricing runs steep enough that you'll feel it by the second bottle, but the selection earns at least one visit from anyone who takes wine seriously.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown LA · Los Angeles · Contemporary American
Otium is pulling serious wine weight for a restaurant most people visit for the food, and the combination of an eclectic 300-label list, knowledgeable staff, and a by-the-glass program with genuine personality earns it a Rager without hesitation. Send your wine-curious friends here — just tell them to actually read the list.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
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