Holcomb Bridge's Quiet Italian Wine Anchor
Roswell · Italian
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 13, 2026
RagingWine reviewed di Paolo’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at di Paolo lands exactly where you want it for a neighborhood Italian spot — Italian-forward, sensibly priced, and not trying to be something it's not. It's held an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator since 2017, and flipping through the list, that credential feels earned rather than ceremonial. This isn't a showboat list, but it's one that clearly had some thought put into it.
Italy drives the bus here, and rightfully so. You've got Barolo from Piedmont, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone della Valpolicella, and a respectable Chianti Classico Riserva program sitting alongside the heavy hitters — Sassicaia and Tignanello represent the Super Tuscan side without the list leaning on them as crutches. Alto Adige Pinot Grigio is a smart inclusion, showing they're thinking beyond the obvious Veneto pours. California Cabernet rounds things out on the New World side, keeping the crowd happy without overwhelming the Italian identity of the list. The gaps are minor: more Southern Italian coverage would be welcome, and the Burgundy representation is thin.
Ten to twenty pours by the glass is a solid program for a neighborhood restaurant of this size, and the $10–$18 range keeps it accessible. The Pinot Noir selection alone is surprisingly ambitious — Willamette Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Bourgogne all showing up by the glass is a genuine differentiator. Rotation doesn't appear to be especially active, but what's there is thoughtfully chosen.
Angeline Pinot Noir '22, California — $48
At $48 it's the entry point into the Pinot Noir lineup and an honest, food-friendly pour that doesn't ask you to overthink it. Order it with the lasagna and move on with your evening.
Jean-Luc Pinot Noir '22, Bourgogne
Most people at an Italian restaurant will reach for the Barolo or Brunello — fair. But a Bourgogne Pinot Noir at $78 in this context is genuinely fun, and it'll cut right through the richness of the house-made mozzarella starters in a way nothing else on the list will.
Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir '22, Willamette Valley
Cristom is a great producer and this is a real wine, but at $95 it's the steepest Pinot on the list and you're paying a meaningful premium over what Elk Cove or Alexana deliver at $75–$80. Save the Cristom splurge for a wine bar where it gets more attention.
Chianti Classico Riserva + Hand-made lasagna
Sangiovese and slow-cooked meat ragù is one of those pairings that exists for a reason — the wine's acidity cuts the richness of the pasta, the earthy fruit mirrors the beef, and suddenly you understand why Tuscans drink this at lunch. Don't overthink it.
The Bottom Line
di Paolo is the kind of neighborhood Italian wine list that quietly does its job well — fair prices, Italian bones, and enough range to reward the curious without punishing the casual drinker. Send a friend here and tell them to work the Italian side of the list.
· Roswell · Wine Bar
Vin 25 is doing something genuinely smart in Roswell: a tight, well-chosen list where every bottle is open for glass pours at fair prices. It's not deep, but it's honest — and in a suburb where most wine lists read like an airport menu, that counts for a lot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Roswell · Seasonal Southern Steakhouse
Bask isn't here to challenge you — it's here to back up a great steak with a wine list that won't let you down. The markup is real, but if you know where to look, there are honest pours worth ordering.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Roswell · Roswell · Italian
Osteria Mattone is the best Italian wine list in Roswell and probably the most honest one in the northern suburbs — deep enough on Italy to feel real, priced fairly enough that you won't wince at the check. Go on a Wednesday and you'll leave wondering why you ever pay full price for wine.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
· New Haven · Italian
Strega is the kind of spot where the wine list is doing real work to serve the food, not just fill a binder — and for a small Italian in New Haven, that earns genuine respect. We'd send a friend here for a date night without hesitation, with the caveat that the bill will climb fast if you're not watching the glass.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Stamford · Italian
Ernie's has no business being this interesting about wine, and that's exactly why you should go. It's a tight, weird, well-priced list in a format nobody expects — and that's the whole point of a Wild Card.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Baltimore · Italian
Facci's wine list is a quiet overachiever: all-Italian, regionally adventurous, and priced without greed. If you want to drink something you've never heard of and pay a fair price for it, this is your spot.
Surprising Depth
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.
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