Southern comfort food, wine list plays it safe
Downtown Huntsville · Huntsville · Refined Southern and American Bistro · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 27, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Commerce Kitchen feels like it was built to not offend anyone — which, in a cozy downtown Huntsville bistro, is maybe the point. You get your Prosecco, your Pinot Grigio, your Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc — all the hits, none of the surprises. It's a list that says 'we thought about wine' without saying 'we really care about wine.'
The list covers Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand, and Portugal in a tight 15-25 bottle range, which sounds more impressive than it is — there's no real depth in any one region, just a producer or two from each. The Chateau de Malet-Roquefort White Bordeaux is genuinely interesting and stands out as the one pick that suggests someone was paying attention. The port selection — Warre's Reserve Ruby, Fonseca Bin 27, and Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Tawny — is legitimately solid for a Southern bistro and functions almost as a separate mini-program. Red wine representation is thin based on what's surfaced, which is a notable gap for a restaurant leaning into hearty Southern fare.
The by-the-glass program is one of Commerce Kitchen's stronger suits — somewhere in the 12-16 option range, which is generous for a list this size. You can get the Lucien Albrecht Sparkling Rosé by the glass, which is a legitimate crowd-pleaser, and the three port pours by the glass are a smart dessert-course move. Rotation appears minimal, so don't expect seasonal surprises.
Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé NV — $60/bottle
At 200% markup it's not cheap, but Crémant d'Alsace at this quality level retails around $20 and drinks well above its weight. Compared to the Maschio Prosecco sitting at 300% markup for a fraction of the flavor, this is the clear move if you're buying a bottle for the table.
Chateau de Malet-Roquefort White Bordeaux
Most people at a Southern bistro are reaching for the Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio on autopilot. This White Bordeaux — likely a Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blend — is more textured, more interesting, and probably getting ignored by 90% of the room. Order it.
Maschio Prosecco NV
A $12 retail bottle landing at $48 on the list is a 300% markup — the steepest on the card. Prosecco is Prosecco; there's nothing about Maschio that justifies paying four times its value. Pop for the Crémant instead or just start with a cocktail.
Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc + Shrimp & Grits
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc brings enough citrus brightness and herbaceous snap to cut through the richness of butter-forward shrimp and creamy grits without trampling the dish. It's a classic acid-meets-fat play, and Rapaura Springs is a solid producer in that style.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Commerce Kitchen is a perfectly decent place to have a glass of wine with good Southern food in a warm downtown room — just don't come in expecting the list to dazzle you. Steer clear of the Prosecco, find the White Bordeaux, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere else.
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Bravo! Huntsville's wine list is a corporate placeholder that exists to move volume, not to make you drink better. If wine matters to your night out, save this address for the food and get your bottle elsewhere.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Huntsville · Huntsville · British pub and steakhouse with European-inspired cuisine
The Poppy & Parliament is a perfectly fine place to have a glass of wine with dinner — just go in knowing you're paying a premium for the atmosphere and the familiar labels. If you're wine-focused, order the Champagne, enjoy the fish and chips, and don't look too hard at the markup column.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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