Old-World Glamour With a Killer Italian Spine
West Loop · Chicago · Steak House · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 13, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Fioretta’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Fioretta feels like someone built a steakhouse inside a fever dream about 1960s Milan — all opulence, live entertainment, and an unmistakable sense that they take the wine program as seriously as the tablecloths. The list lands with confidence: Italy-first, California-supported, and clearly curated by someone who knows the difference between Barolo producers. This is not a steakhouse that just threw Caymus and Stag's Leap on a laminated card and called it a day.
The Italian backbone here is legitimately impressive — Giacomo Conterno and Bruno Giacosa representing Barolo, Biondi-Santi and Banfi anchoring Brunello di Montalcino, and Super Tuscans like Sassicaia and Ornellaia for the table that wants to make a statement. Amarone gets proper treatment too, with Masi and Allegrini covering both the accessible and the serious ends of that category. California shows up in the supporting cast — Jordan, Stag's Leap, Caymus — solid picks for the Cab crowd but less adventurous than the Italian side of the ledger. The gaps feel intentional: this list knows what it is, and it doesn't pretend to be a global tour.
With 18-28 options running $15-$25 a glass, the BTG program is more generous than most steakhouses bother with. The range tracks the bottle list — expect Italian reds and California Cabs to dominate the rotation, which makes sense when Bistecca Fiorentina is on the menu. No evidence of an active rotating program, which is the one missed opportunity here.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $60-range
Jordan consistently overdelivers at its price point — structured enough for a dry-aged ribeye, polished enough to not feel like a concession. In a list that skews heavily toward $100+ Italian prestige bottles, this is the smart play for a full bottle at the table without the sticker shock.
Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella
Everyone at the table is reaching for Barolo or Brunello, and Allegrini's Amarone just sits there being quietly brilliant. It's rich, dark, and savagely good with osso buco — but most guests walk right past it chasing the bigger Italian names.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine — but it's also the most marked-up, most ubiquitous bottle on every steakhouse list in America. You're paying a premium for familiarity here, and with Stag's Leap and Jordan on the same list, there's no reason to default to the crowd-pleaser.
Bruno Giacosa Barolo + Bistecca Fiorentina
Giacosa's Barolo brings that classic tar-and-roses structure that was practically designed to sit next to a massive, char-edged Florentine steak. The tannins cut through the fat, the acidity keeps things lively, and the whole experience feels like it was planned by someone who actually eats dinner.
The Bottom Line
Fioretta earns its Wine Spectator credential — sommelier Katia Savinkova has built an Italian-driven list that genuinely belongs in a room this theatrical. The markups lean steep, but when the Conterno Barolo is on the table and the lights are low, you're probably not doing the math anyway.
Logan Square · Chicago · Italian
Come to Osteria Langhe for a focused trip through Piedmontese wine. Thursday’s advertised half-price selection is worth asking about, and Wednesday offers a wine pairing alongside the four-course menu. The linked wine list is dated December 2025, so confirm today’s bottles and prices before choosing.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American Casual
Summer House is not a wine destination, but it's a reliable place to drink well enough without getting gouged on the low end — just steer clear of the big-name bottles where the markup climbs. Send your friend here if they want something easy and good; don't send them here if they're chasing something serious.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · Italian
il Carciofo is doing something genuinely rare: building a wine list that treats Italian regional variety as the main event, not the footnote. If you're tired of the same Pinot Grigio and Chianti Classico circuit, this is exactly where you should be eating dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Chicago · Chicago · Steakhouse
STK Chicago is here to sell you a night out, and the wine list is just part of the set dressing. If you care about what's in your glass, eat here for the steak and order water.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · French Brasserie
La Grande Boucherie Chicago is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants a French-focused list executed with genuine effort and the occasional smart value. The markups aren't shy, but the BTG program and specials take some of the sting out — go in with a plan and you'll drink well.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
· Chicago · Steakhouse
This is not the wine list you expect to find at The Palm, and that's exactly why it earns attention. Six bottles, zero filler, genuinely fair pricing — if someone's tending this list, they deserve a raise.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hartland · Hartland · Steak House
Palmer's is a reliable steakhouse wine list that delivers exactly what its suburban clientele wants — well-known California names, solid execution, and nothing too weird. If you're a wine adventurer, you'll want to temper expectations; if you're celebrating with a ribeye and a Jordan Cab, you'll leave satisfied.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Town Square · Jackson · Steak House
The Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse has a sommelier, a Wine Spectator credential, and a list that knows its audience — which is Jackson tourists who want great steak and great Napa Cab, full stop. Send a friend here if they want a proper California red with a serious piece of beef; just warn them to skip Opus One and let Jordan do the work.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Milwaukee · Milwaukee · Steak House
Ward's House of Prime is exactly what it says it is: a classic Milwaukee steakhouse with a wine list built to match big cuts of beef. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is well-earned, but don't come looking for adventure — come looking for a great California Cab and a slab of prime rib.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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