Meat-Forward House, Wine List Holds Its Own
· Chicago · Brazilian Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed October 21, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Fogo de Chão’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Fogo de Chão Chicago is exactly what you'd expect from a high-volume churrascaria — familiar names, safe picks, and a format built around moving bottles efficiently rather than surprising anyone. At 45 labels with a generous 36 by-the-glass options, it's clearly designed for the group dinner crowd who wants something red in their hand while the gaucho keeps circling. Nothing here will make you put down your skewer in awe.
The list leans heavily on South American producers — smart given the restaurant's roots — with Argentine Malbec showing up multiple times via Alamos, Catena, and Jorjão by Zuccardi, plus the Chilean Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc and the intriguing Eulila by VIK red blend rounding out the Southern Cone contingent. Beyond that, you're mostly in grocery store territory: Meiomi, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Mezzacorona, and Emmolo are all competent but uninspired options you could grab on the way home from work. The sparkling section adds Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne at $31/glass, which is at least a step above the usual prosecco-or-nothing approach. Notable by their absence: any serious Burgundy, Barolo, or old-world depth that might complement a serious meat dinner.
Thirty-six by-the-glass options is a big number, and Fogo leans into it hard — this is clearly the program's centerpiece. The entry-level tier bottoms out at $10/glass for the Natura Chardonnay, Natura Rosé, Alamos Malbec, and The Seeker Red Blend, which is workable for a steakhouse setting. Prices climb quickly though, and the jump from a $10 pour to a $31 Nicolas Feuillatte glass happens with very little interesting territory in between.
The Bottom Line
Fogo de Chão Chicago's wine list is built for throughput, not discovery — it's reliable, reasonably ranged by the glass, and anchored by South American selections that at least make thematic sense with the food. The markups are steeper than we'd like and the list won't excite anyone who drinks wine as seriously as they eat meat, but the Catena Malbec and the Bodega Garzón Albariño are legitimate picks that rise above the crowd-pleaser baseline. Come for the churrasco, drink the Catena, and don't overthink it.
River North · Chicago · Seafood
A seafood house with a long, mixed list: a Seafood Whites section, Burgundy and Napa depth, and 22 pours by the glass. Order the Marc Brédif "Royal Oyster" Muscadet with a half dozen oysters, or start with the $11/glass Charles de Fère, and confirm current prices. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
River North · Chicago · Mediterranean, Steakhouse
A Napa-heavy bottle list with a real Greek section and a short, priced glass board. Start with the $10 happy-hour Vermentino or, if you are staying for dinner, the AA Sigalas Assyrtiko at $75, and confirm prices and availability when you sit down. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Magnificent Mile · Chicago · Mediterranean
A 38-pour glass list with unpriced Champagne and Burgundy-heavy bottle pages behind it. Start with the $14 Tiberio Trebbiano or the $15 Thymiopoulos Assyrtiko, and ask for bottle prices because the posted bottle pages carry none. This unrated guide covers the posted drinks menu, not service, storage or markups.
Fulton Market · Chicago · Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
A Mediterranean list built around Greece and Lebanon, with 18 wines on the by-the-glass pages. Start with the Kalokaíri rosé (16 / 64) or the Chateau Musar "Jeune Rouge" (19 / 76), and confirm current vintages and prices. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
River North · Chicago · American
A short 14-wine list, with most price pairs between $13 and $15 and four single-price wines at $72 to $80. Order the Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling at $13 | 50, or the Provence rosé if you want the one French wine, and ask which number is the glass price. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
The Loop · Chicago · American Gastropub
A glass list that tags every pour by style, with 18 wines from $15 to $25 and a 128-line bottle list from $50 to $550. Start with The Gage Brut at $15 or the Troupis 'Ekato' orange Moschofilero at $16, and confirm prices because the menu is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
· San Diego · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão San Diego isn't trying to win a wine award, and it doesn't need to — the mission is keeping 300 people happy while gauchos walk around with swords of meat. What they've built is a functional, fairly priced by-the-glass program with enough South American character to feel intentional. If you're here for the churrasco, order the Catena Catena Malbec at $13/glass and call it a win.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Active Program
Acceptable
· Orlando · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Orlando's wine list is honest and reasonably priced — it won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you either. The South American focus is coherent and thematically on-point, the markup is fair for a chain steakhouse, and there are a few genuinely interesting picks hiding in the whites section. If you're here for meat and want a bottle that doesn't cost a fortune, you'll find one.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Dallas · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Dallas brings a reliable, if uninspired, wine list that leans on brand recognition over discovery — the Bodega Garzón Albariño and Zuccardi Malbec are the standouts in a sea of familiar faces. If you're here for the meat, the wine list will keep you covered; just watch the markup on the glass pours, which can quietly run up a tab. We'd send a friend here for the experience, not specifically for the wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
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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