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 →
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.
NoHo · New York · Italian
Il Buco has one of the most compelling Italian wine lists in New York City — deep, principled, and staffed by people who actually care. The markup is real, so budget accordingly, but this is a room worth splurging in.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · New York · Steakhouse
STK Downtown is a place where people order Champagne to celebrate, not to drink — and the wine program is built accordingly. If you're here for the vibe and someone else is paying, pop the Dom and enjoy it; if you actually care about what's in your glass, you're in the wrong room.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown · New York · Upscale Seafood & Steakhouse
Three happy hour wines do not a wine program make. Ocean Prime is a place you eat well and drink safely — but if wine is a priority, this list will let you down before the bread basket arrives.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Midtown · New York · Steakhouse
STK Midtown is a great place to see and be seen, but the wine list is there to pad the check, not to excite you. If you're here for the experience, lean on the cocktails or grab a glass of Bonanza at the bar — don't expect the bottle list to reward any real curiosity.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
· Branson · Italian-American
Pasghetti's isn't trying to be a wine destination, and the list makes that abundantly clear. If you're here for the pasta and the family-friendly Branson vibe, grab a Lambrusco and call it a night — but don't expect the wine program to be part of the reason you come back.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Portsmouth · Italian-American
The Rosa isn't trying to reinvent the wine list — it's trying to serve its room well, and largely succeeds. Twenty-five by-the-glass options with Italian producers mixed alongside California staples makes this one of the more thoughtful pours in Portsmouth. If you're after wine-bar ambition, look elsewhere; if you want a reliable glass with your gnocchi without any drama, The Rosa delivers.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
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
