Alsace On The Upper East Side, Done Right
Upper East Side · New York · French · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Café d'Alsace’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Café d'Alsace hits you like a well-organized argument for why Alsace deserves more respect than it gets. It's thick, it's focused, and it's unmistakably French — but not in the lazy, Bordeaux-heavy way so many brasseries default to. This list has a point of view, and it sticks to it.
With somewhere between 250 and 350 bottles, the list earns its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence — held since 2009 — without feeling like it's showing off. Alsace is the obvious anchor: Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Trimbach's Clos Sainte Hune, Hugel et Fils Gewurztraminer, and Domaine Weinbach cover the region's greatest hits with real depth. Beyond that, Burgundy gets serious representation via Louis Jadot, Domaine Leflaive, and Domaine Faiveley, while the Rhône makes its case with Guigal's Côte-Rôtie and Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Bordeaux fills in the prestige column — Château Lynch-Bages is the kind of name that signals someone actually cared when building this list.
Twenty to thirty options by the glass is generous for a neighborhood brasserie, and the range reflects the bottle list's French-first priorities. You're not stuck choosing between a Pinot Grigio and a Malbec — there are real Alsatian pours here that make sense with the food. Rotation appears to follow seasonal logic, which keeps things honest.
Hugel et Fils Gewurztraminer — $40
Hugel is one of Alsace's most reliable producers, and a well-priced Gewurztraminer in a room full of Choucroute Garnie is basically a gift. Aromatic, slightly off-dry, and food-forward — this is exactly what the kitchen wants next to it.
Domaine Faiveley Burgundy
Everyone's eyes go straight to Leflaive and Jadot, but Faiveley is quietly one of Burgundy's most consistent houses and tends to fly under the radar on lists like this. If you want real Pinot Noir without paying the hype tax, start here.
Château Lynch-Bages
Lynch-Bages is a legitimately great Pauillac, but it's also one of the most widely distributed prestige Bordeaux labels on the planet — you're paying for the name recognition as much as the wine. At a restaurant built for Alsace and Burgundy, this feels like a tourist trap column on an otherwise thoughtful list.
Trimbach Clos Sainte Hune Riesling + Choucroute Garnie
This is one of the great regional pairings in French cuisine, full stop. Clos Sainte Hune's electric acidity and mineral backbone cut straight through the fat of the braised pork and sausages, while the wine's subtle richness matches the dish's weight. It's not a coincidence this is on the list — it's the whole point of the restaurant.
The Bottom Line
Café d'Alsace is the rare neighborhood restaurant where the wine list actually reflects the food philosophy — and it backs that up with serious producers, fair pricing, and a sommelier who knows the list. Send your friends here, especially if they've been sleeping on Alsace.
NoHo · New York · Italian
Il Buco has one of the most compelling Italian wine lists in New York City — deep, principled, and staffed by people who actually care. The markup is real, so budget accordingly, but this is a room worth splurging in.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · New York · Steakhouse
STK Downtown is a place where people order Champagne to celebrate, not to drink — and the wine program is built accordingly. If you're here for the vibe and someone else is paying, pop the Dom and enjoy it; if you actually care about what's in your glass, you're in the wrong room.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown · New York · Upscale Seafood & Steakhouse
Three happy hour wines do not a wine program make. Ocean Prime is a place you eat well and drink safely — but if wine is a priority, this list will let you down before the bread basket arrives.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Midtown · New York · Steakhouse
STK Midtown is a great place to see and be seen, but the wine list is there to pad the check, not to excite you. If you're here for the experience, lean on the cocktails or grab a glass of Bonanza at the bar — don't expect the bottle list to reward any real curiosity.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown West · New York · Russian-American
The Russian Tea Room treats wine as an afterthought dressed up in Champagne flutes — five famous labels at punishing prices with no range, no by-the-glass program, and no apparent curiosity about wine beyond what looks impressive on a table. Go for the spectacle, order the caviar, but don't come here expecting a wine list.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
David Burke Tavern's list is a Chardonnay lover's comfort zone with a solid sparkling section propping up the top — but the narrow focus and steep pricing mean you're paying for familiarity, not discovery. Send a friend here if they want California whites and a glass of Champagne; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Georgetown · Washington · French
Lutèce is a strong place to explore French wine with a firm budget in mind. The posted list runs from a $64 Southern Rhône red to $600 Champagne, so tell Chris Ray what you want to spend and let that guide the conversation. Confirm prices and availability when you book or arrive.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Paso Robles · French
Cépage is a destination restaurant in a destination wine region — the kind of place you plan a Saturday around, not somewhere you stumble into. The wine program appears honest to its terroir and purpose, though pricing at this caliber of operation rarely favors the guest. If you're already out on Highway 46 with a reservation in hand, you're likely going to have a very good time; just don't arrive expecting a sprawling global list or a killer value-hunting opportunity.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Weston · Weston · French
The Left Bank is the rare small-town wine program that genuinely surprises you — not by accident, but because someone with real taste built it. If you're driving through Vermont and need a reason to stop in Weston, this list is it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
