Venetian vibes with approachable Italian pours
Charlotte · Italian Small Plates
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 3, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Cicchetti’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Cicchetti takes its name from Venetian small plates, and the wine list follows suit with an Italian-focused approach that doesn't try to be a textbook. You're looking at a selection that knows its audience: approachable regions, recognizable producers, and prices that won't make you wince when the check comes.
The list leans heavily into Northern Italy—Veneto, Piedmont, and Lombardy get proper attention—with a solid supporting cast from Tuscany and a few Southern outliers. You'll find the usual suspects like Pinot Grigio and Chianti, but there's enough depth in the mid-tier to keep things interesting. The Prosecco selection is respectable given the restaurant's Venetian inspiration, and they're not afraid to stock a few orange wines for the adventurous. What's missing: serious cellar depth and anything beyond Italian borders.
The glass pour program sticks to safe choices—a Soave here, a Barbera there—with occasional seasonal rotations that suggest someone's paying attention. Expect 8-10 options that cover the basics without much risk-taking. Service temperatures are inconsistent, and the stemless glassware is functional but won't elevate the experience. For a weeknight bottle with cicchetti, it does the job.
Cantina Terlano Pinot Bianco Alto Adige — $42
High-altitude precision at a neighborhood price—crisp, mineral-driven, and built for sharing plates
Radikon Ribolla Gialla
If they're stocking it, this skin-contact wonder from Friuli is your gateway to orange wine—funky, textural, and unforgettable with fried bites
Generic Prosecco DOC
At $38 a bottle, you're paying Charlotte markup for grocery store bubbles—skip it and go for a proper Franciacorta if available
Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo + Arancini or any fried cicchetti
Young Nebbiolo's bright acidity and red fruit cut through rich, fried textures like a knife—classic Italian logic
The Bottom Line
Cicchetti delivers what it promises: an Italian-focused list that complements small plates without demanding a PhD in Barolo. Limited intel means we're guessing on some specifics, but the bones are solid for a neighborhood spot.
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One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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