Red-sauce nostalgia with a serious Italian cellar
West Village · New York · Italian-American · Visit Website ↗
Updated April 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 25, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Don Angie’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Don Angie reads like it was built by someone who actually loves Italy — not just the hits. It's all-Italian, and that commitment feels intentional rather than gimmicky. You open it expecting Chianti and Pinot Grigio and instead find Lambrusco Bianco, Trentodoc, and a Barolo that has no business being on a red-sauce menu (in the best possible way).
The list runs 200-300 bottles deep and sticks to Italy with real conviction — Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Sicily, and Marche are all well-represented. The California and Oregon presence feels like a quiet concession to the crowd, but even that doesn't dilute what is otherwise a smartly curated Italian program. Bovio's 'Gattera' Barolo and La Fornace Brunello are the anchor bottles on the high end, and they're here because they belong, not just because they look good on a menu. The Emilia-Romagna section — with its Lambruscos — is the kind of genuine regional love that most Italian restaurants in New York completely ignore.
Eighteen options by the glass is a generous pour program, ranging from $12 to $33, and the selection skews refreshingly off the beaten path. The Lini 910 Labrusca Lambrusco Bianco is the standout pour — effervescent, slightly funky, and completely unlike anything else on a by-the-glass list in this city. The Da Mar Prosecco holds down the approachable end without embarrassing itself.
Lini 910 Labrusca Lambrusco Bianco Emilia-Romagna NV — $16/glass (est.)
Lambrusco Bianco is criminally underrated, and Lini 910 is one of the best producers making it. Light, fizzy, slightly savory — it's the rare glass that makes the food taste better and still leaves you wanting another pour.
Cesarini Sforza Trentodoc Brut Trento NV
Most people walk right past Trentodoc and grab a Prosecco. Don't. This is méthode traditionnelle sparkling from the Dolomites — more texture, more complexity, and a fraction of the attention it deserves. It's the table-opener that actually starts a conversation.
Tolaini 'Valdisanti' Cabernet Blend Tuscany
A Tuscan Cab blend at a place this committed to regional Italian identity feels like a concession to guests who just can't let go of Napa. It's fine wine, but it's also the least interesting thing on the list and likely carries a markup that doesn't reward the adventure.
Ca' Montanari 'Opera' Lambrusco Emilia-Romagna NV + Pinwheel Lasagna
The gentle fizz and bright acidity in this Lambrusco cuts through the richness of the lasagna's béchamel and meat layers in a way that a big Tuscan red just can't. It's the classic Emilia-Romagna logic — the wine comes from the same place as the dish's DNA.
The Bottom Line
Don Angie is the rare restaurant where the wine list actually reinforces the kitchen's point of view. The markup stings a little, but the depth and sincerity of the Italian program makes it worth ordering something you've never heard of — which is exactly the right outcome.
Midtown West · New York · Russian-American
The Russian Tea Room treats wine as an afterthought dressed up in Champagne flutes — five famous labels at punishing prices with no range, no by-the-glass program, and no apparent curiosity about wine beyond what looks impressive on a table. Go for the spectacle, order the caviar, but don't come here expecting a wine list.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
David Burke Tavern's list is a Chardonnay lover's comfort zone with a solid sparkling section propping up the top — but the narrow focus and steep pricing mean you're paying for familiarity, not discovery. Send a friend here if they want California whites and a glass of Champagne; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
Corima's wine list is proof that ten well-chosen bottles beat a hundred thoughtless ones every time. If you care about what's in your glass, this place is worth your attention.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Village · New York · American
Cecchi's is first and foremost a bar, but the wine list is more serious than the neon and noise suggest. Steep markups are the main ding — but if you know what to order, there's real pleasure here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
SoHo · New York · Steak House, Small Plates
The Corner Store is a reliable, well-credentialed wine list doing exactly what a good SoHo steakhouse should — France and California, done with intention, in a room that makes you want to order another bottle. Just watch the markup on the big Bordeaux names and let the Rhône or Burgundy side show you a better time.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Tribeca · New York · American
Farra is punching above its weight class for a neighborhood wine bar, and the Wine Spectator nod is earned — just know that the serious bottles come with serious prices, and the no-sommelier setup means you're doing some of the navigating yourself. Worth it for anyone who knows what they want; potentially overwhelming for those who don't.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Ocean Casino Resort · Atlantic City · Italian-American
Superfrico is a reliable wine program in a setting designed to get you to spend money — and it mostly delivers without being a total shakedown. Send a friend here for a fun night, not a wine education.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / Broadway · Saratoga Springs · Italian-American
Come to Wheatfields for the house-made pasta — it earns its reputation. But the wine list is a lazy lineup of commercial brands at steep markups, and no one on staff is going to steer you toward anything interesting. Grab a glass of Prosecco during happy hour (50% off Monday through Friday, 3-7pm) and redirect your wine energy somewhere else in town.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Broadway · Idaho Falls · Italian-American
This is the wine list equivalent of unlimited breadsticks — comforting, familiar, and not something you'd brag about to anyone. Come for the pasta, order a cocktail, or bring your own bottle if they'll let you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
