Coastal Italian with More Chablis Than Expected
Downtown · Nashville · Italian Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated March 2026
Reviewed March 2, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list leans Italian-forward with predictable Tuscans and Piedmont classics, but there's more depth in the whites than you'd expect from a steakhouse. It's organized by region, which helps, but the markup stings on familiar bottles we've seen priced better elsewhere.
The Italian section runs deep through Barolo, Barbaresco, and Super Tuscans—exactly what you'd expect from a place called Carne Mare. But the surprises live in the white wine section: solid Friulano options, some skin-contact stuff, and a respectable Chablis selection that suggests someone on the buying team actually drinks white wine with red meat. French offerings are competent but safe—Bordeaux and Rhône selections that won't offend anyone or wow anyone. The California section feels like an afterthought, mostly Napa Cabs at prices that make you wince.
The glass pour program rotates seasonally but doesn't take big swings. You'll find a Pinot Grigio, a Chianti, maybe a Nero d'Avola if you're lucky. Pours are generous and the staff will talk you through options, even if they're reading tasting notes off a card. Expect 8-10 options with a couple of sparkling choices that work well with crudo.
Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera d'Alba — $52
Bright, food-friendly Barbera that doesn't try to be Barolo—pairs with everything from pasta to ribeye without demanding attention
Gravner Ribolla Gialla
Orange wine on a steakhouse list? Someone's paying attention—the texture and tannin actually hold up to heavier dishes better than most whites
Any Napa Cab over $120
The markup on California cult bottles is brutal here—you're paying 4x retail for names you can find cheaper at any wine shop
Chablis Premier Cru, William Fèvre + Branzino al Forno
The minerality and acidity of premier cru Chablis cuts through the olive oil and lemon while matching the fish's delicate texture—this is the move
✔️ The Bottom Line
Carne Mare delivers a solid Italian-leaning list that does its job without trying to be the main event. The markups are steeper than we'd like, but the variety is respectable and the staff tries hard, even if they're still learning.
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · American, French
Gannons is a reliable, well-curated wine destination dressed in hotel restaurant clothing — the sommelier team knows the list, the glass pour selection is strong, and the Italian and French highlights give it more personality than the Napa-heavy surface suggests. The markups lean steep, but the execution earns its Wine Spectator badge. We'd send a friend here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Southern American, Steakhouse
Deacon's won't expand your wine horizons, but if California Cabernet with your steak is the plan — and in Nashville, it often is — Andrew Lizardo's program delivers with confidence. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is earned, even if the list plays it safe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West End · Nashville · Seafood
Halls Catch is the right call for a Nashville seafood dinner when you want a wine list that won't embarrass you — just don't come looking for adventure outside the California zip codes. Send a friend here if they love Napa and know what they're ordering; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Green Hills · Nashville · Seafood, Steakhouse
Char is a dependable, well-executed steakhouse wine list that's built for crowd-pleasing, not adventuring — if California Cabernet is your comfort zone, you'll be happy here. Send a friend who wants a reliable pour with a prime cut; don't send the friend who just got back from a natural wine bar in Copenhagen.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Italian
Yolan is the best wine program in Nashville and it's not particularly close — the depth, the producers, the staff, and the setting all show up at the same time. Yes, the markups sting, but you're not here to find a bargain; you're here to drink Barolo properly.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
The Gulch · Nashville · American Seafood
Marsh House is carrying one of the most serious French-focused wine programs in Nashville, full stop — and the seafood menu is built like it was designed around the list. The markups sting and the staff isn't yet at the level of the cellar, but the bones here are exceptional enough to send anyone who cares about wine.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Naperville · Naperville · Italian Steakhouse
Chicago Prime Italian is a reliable night out for wine in the western suburbs — the Italian selections are well-chosen, the BTG program is generous, and the room is worth the reservation. Just stay away from the Napa Cab unless someone else is paying.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Old Town · Fort Collins · Italian Steakhouse
RARE Italian is the real deal — a 5,000-label list with sommelier support and the bottles to back it up is genuinely rare at this latitude. The markups sting on the entry-level stuff, but climb the list even a little and you're drinking very well in a room that knows what it's doing.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Uptown · Columbus · Italian Steakhouse
Mabella's is a reliable dinner-out option in Columbus with a wine list that plays it completely safe — familiar names, steep markups, no real adventure. If you know what you like and you like Caymus, you'll be comfortable here; if you're hoping for a wine list that matches the ambition of the kitchen, keep your expectations in check.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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