Montgomery's French Escape Is the Real Deal
Cloverdale · Montgomery · French Wine Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · August 27, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Frenchie's’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Frenchie's feels like someone imported a Parisian bistro and quietly dropped it into a Cloverdale strip mall — leather banquettes, candlelight, and a wine list that leans hard into France. It's the kind of place that makes you sit up straighter without anyone asking you to. The room sets high expectations for what's in the glass.
The list is France-forward, which makes sense given the concept, but the question is whether it digs past the obvious appellations or just hits the familiar notes — Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Rhône. A wine bar billing itself as French in the Deep South is a bold move, and the bones are there; what we can't confirm is whether the list has the depth to back up the attitude. Montgomery doesn't have a lot of competition in this lane, which could mean Frenchie's is playing it safe knowing they don't have to try harder. We'd love to see more grower Champagne and natural-leaning Loire producers, but that remains to be verified on a return visit.
By-the-glass specifics weren't available during our research pass, which is itself a mild concern for a wine bar — a strong BTG program is table stakes for the format. If they're rotating thoughtfully through the French regions, that's a win; if it's the same four pours week after week, that's a missed opportunity in a room this charming.
The Bottom Line
Frenchie's is doing something genuinely rare for Montgomery — committing to a French wine bar identity in a city that mostly plays it safe — and that alone earns them the Wild Card. Come for the duck confit and the atmosphere; just go in ready to explore rather than expecting a deep, curated cellar.
· Montgomery · Tapas & Wine Bar
Taste is doing something genuinely useful for Montgomery's dining scene — a moody, polished wine bar with tapas that invites you to slow down and order another round. We can't speak to specific bottles or pricing until we get the full list in hand, but the concept is right and the atmosphere earns it. If you're in the city for a date night or a special occasion, this is your best wine bar bet. Just go in with calibrated expectations: it's a reliable neighborhood gem, not a destination cellar.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
EastChase · Montgomery · Seafood Bar
Bonefish Grill isn't trying to be a wine destination, and the three-label bar menu makes that abundantly clear. Order a cocktail, enjoy the fish, and save your wine curiosity for a restaurant that shares it.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Montgomery · Steakhouse
This is a wine list by legal obligation, not by passion. Order a cocktail, a beer, or just accept that Outback Taylor Road is not your wine night destination.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Montgomery · New American
La Jolla isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's putting in more effort than most restaurants in Montgomery. Fair prices, a surprising Loire pick hiding in plain sight, and enough glass options to keep the table happy all night.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Alley Entertainment District · Montgomery · Upscale American, Contemporary Southern
Central is the kind of place where the wine list supports the meal without stealing the spotlight — which is exactly what a restaurant like this needs. Send your friends here for dinner; just steer them toward the Rhône white or the Pinot Gris and away from the Rombauer markup.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hampstead · Montgomery · Casual American bar food and café fare
The Tipping Point is a solid neighborhood spot that happens to have wine, not a wine destination that also serves food — and that's okay. If you're here for the patio, the burgers, or a casual weeknight out, grab the rosé or the Malbec and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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