Monday Half-Price Bottles Earn Their Stripes
Downtown · Saratoga Springs · Tuscan Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 20, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Forno Bistro’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 Forno Bistro reads like a greatest-hits of accessible Italian and California standards — familiar names, approachable prices, nothing that's going to stress you out. It fits the room: a lively converted firehouse where the wood-fired oven is clearly the star and the wine list is playing a solid supporting role. Don't come here hunting for skin-contact Friulano or single-vineyard Barolo, but do come hungry.
The 40-60 bottle list leans predictably Italian — Mellini Chianti from Tuscany anchors the red side, Ca'Donini Cabernet covers the crowd-pleasing middle ground, and the Cavazza Pinot Grigio handles the table that always orders Pinot Grigio. California fills in the gaps without much ambition. The price ceiling around $200 suggests there are a handful of slightly more serious bottles lurking, but the list doesn't push you toward discovery — it steers you toward comfort. Gaps in southern Italian and anything natural are noticeable, though probably not to the average Tuesday-night table.
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass is a respectable range for a neighborhood Italian bistro, and happy hour prices dipping to $6-$8 mean you can taste around without committing to a bottle early. The Pellegrino Zebo Moscato and White Sangria signal that this program is built for fun over finesse, which honestly isn't a bad thing on a summer night in Saratoga. Rotation doesn't appear aggressive, but what's there is priced to move.
Mellini Chianti — $30
A Tuscan Chianti at the entry price point is exactly what you want with wood-fired pizza or housemade pasta — bright acidity, food-friendly tannins, and a price that doesn't make you second-guess a second bottle. On a Monday, it's basically a steal.
Cavazza Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio gets eye-rolls for good reason, but Cavazza is a legitimate Veneto producer doing honest, refreshing work. Most tables here will reach for it reflexively and never notice — but it's actually the right call with anything light off the menu.
Ca'Donini Cabernet Sauvignon
Ca'Donini is a high-volume commercial label that shows up on lists like this because it's reliable and easy to order, not because it's interesting. At a Tuscan-focused restaurant, a Cabernet Sauvignon is already an odd fit — and this one doesn't earn its place on any list.
Mellini Chianti + Wood-fired pizza
Chianti and wood-fired pizza is one of those combinations that exists for a reason — the wine's acidity cuts through the char and tomato, the tannins don't fight the crust, and the whole thing tastes like you made a smart decision.
Monday — Half-price bottles on Mondays — exclusions not specified, but multiple guests confirm the deal applies broadly. Worth planning around.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Forno Bistro isn't a destination wine list, but it's a fair and functional one that respects your wallet — especially on Mondays when half-price bottles make a $30 Chianti feel like a genuine gift. Send your friends here for a fun dinner; just don't send the ones who want to talk about terroir.
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Basic Stemmed
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Small but Thoughtful
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Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
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Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
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Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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