Sparkling-Forward and Rosé-Ready in Atlanta
· Atlanta · Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 26, 2026
RagingWine reviewed By George’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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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.
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
Hal's delivers a competent, Napa-forward bottle list that does exactly what a steakhouse wine program is supposed to do — just without much surprise or value mercy. Send a friend here if they want a reliable big-red experience; warn them to leave the credit card breathing room.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Fast Casual
Nando's is here for the chicken, and the wine list knows it — eight uninspired labels that exist to check a box, not to enhance your meal. Order the Vinho Verde, enjoy your peri-peri, and don't overthink it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Stemless Casual
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Italian
Bici's wine list won't knock you sideways, but it's honest, Italian-focused, and fairly priced — a reliable partner to the food. We'd send a friend here and tell them to skip the Sauvignon Blanc and go straight for the Greco.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Southern
SouthernNational is doing something genuinely unusual — running a tight, Europe-forward wine list inside a Southern kitchen, and mostly pulling it off. If you're tired of the same Sonoma Pinot and overpriced Malbec at every restaurant in town, this list is worth your attention.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Caribbean-inspired / New American
Apt 4B is a vibe-first spot where the wine list feels like an afterthought that got handed to a brand manager. Come for the food and the atmosphere — but if wine matters to you, order a cocktail instead.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
New York Prime's wine list is exactly what it needs to be for its audience — safe, recognizable, and priced for expense accounts. If you know what you want and don't mind paying for it, you'll be fine; just don't come looking for discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Beaver Creek Plaza · Vail · Contemporary American
Golden Eagle Inn is the kind of reliable mountain wine list that won't embarrass you on a date or a client dinner, but it'll charge you for the altitude at every turn. The Brunello and the Bouchard Beaune are genuine bright spots — find those, skip the Veuve, and you'll have a good night.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Vail Village · Vail · Contemporary American
Sweet Basil is the best wine list in Vail by a wide margin — 400 bottles, a real Cruvinet program, and a sommelier who put actual thought into the selections. The markups sting, but that's mountain dining; the quality justifies the trip.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Sedona · Sedona · Contemporary American
The Hudson isn't going to make any wine lists for its wine list, but it's a solid, competent program for what this place is — a lively upscale-casual spot where the views are doing a lot of the work. Send your friends here for dinner and tell them to stick to the bottles under $70.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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