When the Wine List Is an Afterthought
Charlotte · American · Visit Website ↗
Updated July 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 3, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Counter-’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Counter- hands you a wine list that feels like it was assembled from a grocery store end-cap in 2015 and hasn't been touched since. The selection screams "we know people expect wine, so here's wine" without any conviction or care behind it.
This is a paint-by-numbers list heavy on commercial labels you'd find at Total Wine with hefty restaurant markups slapped on top. The California section leans on workhorses like Caymus and La Crema, while the imports list barely ventures beyond entry-level Chianti and mass-market Malbec. There's no regional depth, no interesting producers, and zero indication anyone here cares about wine as anything more than a liquor license checkbox. The whole thing reads like it was ordered from a distributor's "safe picks" catalogue and left to gather dust.
The glass pour program is minimal and predictable—maybe six options that rotate never. Expect the usual suspects: a generic Pinot Grigio, an oaky Chardonnay, basic Cabernet, and a Malbec that's been on the list since opening day. Pours come in whatever glass is clean, with zero attention to varietal or temperature.
J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon — $48
At 3x retail it's hardly a steal, but it's drinkable and won't hurt as much as the $90 Caymus
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages
If they actually have it, it's the only thing on the list with any food-friendliness and restraint
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Marked up to $52 for a bottle you can grab at Trader Joe's for $19—pure robbery
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc + House salad
Both are safe, forgettable, and get the job done without demanding attention
The Bottom Line
Counter- treats wine like an obligation, not an opportunity. Skip the bottles, order a beer, and save your wine budget for a restaurant that actually cares.
· Charlotte · Brazilian Steakhouse
Chima is clearly a steakhouse that sells meat and uses wine as an afterthought. Order the beef, have a caipirinha, and save your wine enthusiasm for somewhere that returns the favor.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
· Charlotte · Steakhouse
STK Charlotte is a party venue with a wine list to match — familiar, expensive, and built for people who order by brand recognition. If you're serious about what's in your glass, you'll be working against the room all night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Ballantyne · Charlotte · American, Californian
Juniper Grill is a reliable, California-focused wine list that earns its Wine Spectator nod — just don't come looking for adventure. If you want a great Napa Cab with your short ribs in a comfortable room, this is your spot.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Charlotte · Charlotte · American
Caroline's isn't trying to be a wine destination — it's an oyster bar with California ambitions and prices that don't punish you for ordering well. Wednesday half-price wine night alone is worth putting in your rotation.
Plays It Safe
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Plaza Midwood · Charlotte · Southern American, Steakhouse
Supperland is a genuinely wild place to drink wine — stained glass overhead, a cast iron skillet on the table, and a bottle of Tignanello on the list. The markups aren't generous and no sommelier is guiding you, but if you know what you're looking for, this Wine Spectator-recognized list delivers for a Southern steakhouse in a church.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
South End · Charlotte · Italian, Steakhouse
Dean's is a dependable upscale steakhouse wine list that does exactly what it promises — California and Italy, done well, at prices that sting a little but don't embarrass anyone. Send a friend here if they want a proper Barolo with their ribeye; skip it if they're hunting for value or adventure.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Bakersfield · American
Yard House Bakersfield is a beer hall that happens to sell wine, and the list makes no effort to hide that. Markups are aggressive, selections are safe to the point of being anonymous, and the only reason to open a bottle here is if your table voted against another round of IPAs. If you're wine-focused, redirect your budget to the Jean-Luc Colombo Rosé by the glass and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Yountville · American
The Kitchen at Priest Ranch is a one-winery show, and that's exactly the point. If you want to spend an evening exploring what a single Napa estate produces across whites, rosé, Zinfandel, Merlot, and multiple Cabernet expressions — including older large-format bottles — this is a genuinely interesting way to do it. Just don't come expecting breadth or outside discovery. Send a friend here if they love Priest Ranch or want to.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Baltimore · American
Give the international and local sections a look before defaulting to Burgundy. Sula at $70 and Old Westminster at $90 offer different budget options. These are posted bottle prices, not guaranteed stock; confirm availability. This menu guide doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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Markup
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Staff
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