Jersey City's scrappy natural wine surprise
Downtown · Jersey City · Australian-influenced, Natural Wine Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Frankie’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You don't expect to walk into a serious natural wine program on Grove Street, but Frankie makes a case for itself fast. The list skews Italian and antipodean, which is a strange combination that somehow works when you're staring at it over a plate of fish and chips. It feels curated, not accidental — someone here actually cares.
The list leans heavily Italian, with a soft spot for Piedmont — Nebbiolo from Langhe and Voghera show up, which tells you this isn't a supermarket grab. Tuscan representation comes via Chianti Superiore from Grati, a name serious enough to earn its place. The Vini Verso 'Sclopit' Pinot Noir blend is the kind of left-field pick that signals a buyer with actual taste. Gaps exist — the Australian influence that defines the kitchen doesn't translate as deeply onto the wine list as you'd hope, but what's here is honest, low-intervention juice.
Specific by-the-glass counts and prices aren't published, which is a minor frustration for walk-ins trying to plan their night. Based on the list and the restaurant's natural wine identity, expect rotating pours that reflect the bottle list rather than a static house-wine setup. If the program holds true to form, even the glass pours should be worth asking about.
Chianti Superiore, Grati — null
Grati is a solid Chianti producer making wine that regularly drinks above its price class — in a natural wine bar context, this is the bottle that gets you the most per dollar and works with nearly everything on the menu.
Vini Verso 'Sclopit' Pinot Noir Blend
Most people at Frankie are probably ordering Nebbiolo or Chianti and sleeping on this. Vini Verso works in the Colli Tortonesi with grapes that rarely make it onto American wine lists — 'Sclopit' is a genuine find and exactly the kind of thing a natural wine bar should be pouring.
Nebbiolo, Voghera
Not a bad wine by any means, but Nebbiolo from Voghera at a casual Australian restaurant is a commitment — it needs time and the right moment. Unless you're deep into the meal and ready to sit with it, the 'Sclopit' blend does more work for less patience required.
Chianti Superiore, Grati + Seasonal Pasta
Chianti and pasta is a cliché for a reason — it works. Grati's Chianti Superiore has enough acidity to cut through rich sauces without steamrolling lighter preparations, making it the most adaptable bottle on the list for whatever Frankie's kitchen is running seasonal.
The Bottom Line
Frankie is a genuinely surprising wine program hiding inside a casual downtown spot, and the Italian-leaning natural wine list punches well above the Grove Street zip code. If you're in Jersey City and care about what's in your glass, this is where you go.
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Porto by Antonio delivers a credible Italian-forward wine list with genuine high points — Promis, Barbaresco, Brunello — and a by-the-glass program that actually gives people choices. Markups get aggressive at the top, and the Caymus pricing is frankly embarrassing, but if you stick to the Italian core and the smart mid-range picks, you'll drink well here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · French-inspired / Cocktail Bar
Madame JC isn't a wine destination — it's a cocktail bar that happens to have one of the most focused and genuinely well-chosen dessert wine lists in Jersey City. Show up after dinner, order the 20-Year Tawny, and thank whoever put this menu together.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Mathews isn't a destination wine list, but it's honest, fairly priced, and more thoughtful than it looks at first glance. Send a friend here if they want a good glass without a lecture.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · American Bar
Ed & Mary's isn't trying to be a wine bar and doesn't need to be — but whoever put the Intérieur Carbonic Zinfandel and Delegati Sparkling Pinot Noir on a 13-bottle bar list deserves a nod. Prices are fair, the whole list pours by the glass, and two genuinely weird options make this worth more than a passing glance.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hamilton Park · Jersey City · Italian
GP's Hamilton Park isn't a destination wine list, but it's a fair one — honest prices, approachable options, and a by-the-glass program that covers the table without drama. Send your friend here if they want a solid neighborhood pour, not a wine education.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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