Italian Vibes, Grocery Store Wine Prices
Federal Hill · Providence · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Cafe Zivoli leans hard on names you'd recognize from a Kroger endcap — Kim Crawford, Josh Cellars, Meiomi. For a Federal Hill Italian spot sitting in Providence's most storied Italian neighborhood, that's a missed opportunity that's hard to ignore.
The list nods to Italy in concept but doesn't really follow through in practice. Regional focus is supposedly Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, but the bottles that show up in the markup data are California and New Zealand crowd-pleasers with zero Italian identity. A 30-50 bottle list could absolutely punch above its weight class here — Federal Hill deserves a Barbera d'Asti or a proper Sangiovese — but this list isn't doing that work. There are no notable producers cited, no surprises, and nothing that tells you the people curating this list care deeply about wine.
Six to ten pours by the glass sounds decent until you realize the roster is likely built around the same familiar faces: Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Sterling Chardonnay. Rotation appears minimal, and with no active specials program, what you see tonight is probably what you'll see in six months.
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — $38
It's the least offensive markup on the list at 90% over retail — which, yes, still stings, but at least you know exactly what you're getting: an easy-drinking, inoffensive California cab that won't embarrass you at the table.
Meiomi Pinot Noir California 2022
Nobody's ordering this at a Federal Hill Italian dinner, but if you're splitting a light pasta and want something soft and fruit-forward without overthinking it, Meiomi does that job. Just don't pay full attention to the $55 price tag.
Sterling Vineyards Vintner's Collection Chardonnay 2022
A 100% markup on an $18 retail bottle is the most egregious pour on the list. This is a supermarket wine dressed up in a restaurant price tag. Order anything else.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2023 + antipasti
The bright citrus and herbaceous snap of Kim Crawford actually works against a plate of briny olives, cured meats, and pickled vegetables — the acidity cuts through the fat and keeps things lively. It's still $42 for a $22 bottle, but at least the pairing logic holds up.
❌ The Bottom Line
Cafe Zivoli's wine list feels like an afterthought stapled onto an otherwise Italian-proud Federal Hill address — steep markups on recognizable but uninspiring bottles don't do the neighborhood justice. Order a cocktail or bring your own if corkage is an option.
· Providence · Restaurant
Mare Rooftop is a great place to watch the sunset with a cold glass of Whispering Angel — and that's about the ceiling of its wine ambition. If you're here for the view and the vibe, lean into it; if you showed up hoping for a thoughtful wine experience, you're in the wrong place.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Providence · Italian (modern trattoria)
Sarto's wine list is a credible, Italy-focused program that earns its place in a serious Italian kitchen — just go in knowing the markups lean steep and the list doesn't reward wandering outside the boot. Order the Vermentino, eat the pasta, and you'll leave happy.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Federal Hill · Providence · Italian-American
Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen is a Providence legend for its food and its history, not its wine list — which reads like something assembled in 1994 and never reconsidered. Come for the veal cutlet and the nostalgia, but don't let the wine list talk you into spending $48 on a Kendall-Jackson.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Side · Providence · American Brasserie (French-Influenced)
Red Stripe isn't a wine destination, but it's not pretending to be one either. Fair prices on recognizable bottles in a lively room that actually makes you want to stay for another glass — that's a respectable thing to get right.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Providence · Providence · Upscale American Steakhouse with Seafood
The Capital Grille Providence is a well-oiled machine with a wine program that earns more respect than most chains deserve — the depth is real, the staff knows the list, and the Generous Pour event is a legit reason to show up. The markups are steep and the soul is corporate, but if someone else is expensing dinner, you could do a lot worse.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Downtown Providence · Providence · Seafood
Hemenway's is the rare seafood institution that earns its reputation on the wine side too — the sommelier presence is real, the French whites are well-chosen, and the list is built with actual intention. The markups are real and the BTG program could use more energy, but if you're eating raw bar in Providence, you could do a lot worse than starting with a glass of Fèvre Chablis here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Provo · Provo · Italian
La Dolce Vita earns its stripes as a dependable neighborhood Italian with a wine list that actually respects the cuisine it's serving. It's not a destination wine program, but in Provo, it's one of the better options on the table — and that house pour at $4 a glass is almost disarmingly honest.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Odessa Retail Corridor · Odessa · Italian
The wine list at Olive Garden Odessa does exactly what Olive Garden's wine list is supposed to do — it's inoffensive, familiar, and gets out of the way of the breadsticks. If you're here for a serious glass of wine, you're in the wrong zip code.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Lakeland · Lakeland · Italian
Carrabba's isn't where you go to discover wine, but it's where you go to drink something decent without getting ripped off. Send a friend here if they want a familiar Italian night with a glass that makes sense — just steer them toward the Italian side of the list.
Crowd Pleasers
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.