Old Chicago Muscle With Italian Wine Cred
River North · Chicago · Italian Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 13, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Gene & Georgetti’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 Gene & Georgetti feels exactly like the room: dark, confident, and unapologetically old-school. Italy dominates the front pages, and that's the right call for a place that's been feeding Chicago since 1941. This isn't a list trying to impress sommeliers — it's trying to get you a great bottle with your ribeye.
The Italian backbone here is serious — Gaja Barbaresco, Biondi-Santi Brunello, Antinori Tignanello, and a solid spread of Barolo from Ceretto and Marchesi di Barolo give the list real credibility. Super Tuscans and Amarone round out the bold-red theme, which makes sense given the menu. California shows up too, with Caymus and Jordan keeping the steakhouse crowd happy. The list doesn't reach into adventurous territory — no natural wine, no orange, no esoteric grapes — but it doesn't need to. It knows what it is.
The by-the-glass program runs 12 to 20 options, which is a reasonable spread for a room that leans heavily toward bottles. Expect the pours to skew Italian red and California Cab — reliable if not surprising. Don't come here hoping to discover something unexpected by the glass; do come here knowing your Chianti will be solid.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $40s
Jordan consistently punches above its price point — approachable, food-friendly, and right at home next to a bone-in ribeye without asking you to think too hard about it.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Most tables here default to Barolo or Brunello, but the Amarone on this list is worth your attention — rich, dried-fruit intensity that stands up to the Veal chop in a way that lighter reds simply can't.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and Gene & Georgetti's markup on a wine this ubiquitous makes it a tough sell. You can do better on this list with half the price premium.
Ceretto Barolo + Prime Aged Bone-In Ribeye
A Nebbiolo this structured needs protein and fat to soften its edges — the ribeye gives it exactly that, and the wine gives the beef something to answer to. This is the Gene & Georgetti order.
The Bottom Line
Gene & Georgetti isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the Italian cellar is deep enough and serious enough that you won't feel shortchanged. Stick to the Barolo, Brunello, or Amarone, avoid the obvious California markup traps, and you'll drink well in one of Chicago's great rooms.
West Loop · Chicago · Californian
The Oakville Grill earns its Wine Spectator credential and the sommelier duo makes this list accessible, not intimidating. Wednesday half-price wine night alone is reason enough to get a reservation — just let go of the idea that anything other than California is on the agenda.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American
John's is a neighborhood spot that punches well above its casual format — two sommeliers, a thoughtful France-and-California list, fair prices, and half-price bottles every Monday. Send your friends here, especially on a Monday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
River North · Chicago · American, Seafood
Terrace 16 earns its Wine Spectator badge and delivers a respectable, California-and-France-focused list in one of Chicago's most dramatic dining rooms. Just don't expect to be surprised — the wine is as reliable as the skyline view, and nearly as expensive.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
River North · Chicago · French, Indian
Indienne is the Wild Card in the truest sense — a fusion kitchen with a genuinely considered wine program that earns its Wine Spectator nod. Yes, send a friend here for wine, but make sure they skip the Napa Cab and lead with Riesling.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Loop · Chicago · Steak house
BLVD Steakhouse doesn't reinvent the steakhouse wine list, but it executes the formula competently — solid producers, proper storage, and enough range to keep a table of Cab loyalists happy all night. Just go in with your eyes open on the markups and skip the trophy-bottle trap.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Magnificent Mile · Chicago · American
Adorn is a reliable, well-staffed wine program in a high-overhead setting — you're paying for the view and the address, but the list itself is legitimate. Send a friend here who wants solid French and California bottles without doing homework first.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Liberty/Belmont Corridor · Youngstown · Italian Steakhouse
Station Square Ristorante is the wine list Youngstown doesn't know it has — deep Italian selections, prestige California anchors, and 450+ bottles that would turn heads in any city. The markups are real and there's no dynamic specials program to soften them, but if you're willing to invest in a bottle of Barolo or a Super Tuscan, this place delivers.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Owen Ayres Court · Eau Claire · Italian Steakhouse
Johnny's is doing the most with a crowd-pleasing formula — 160 bottles, a Wine Spectator nod, and a list that won't offend anyone. Markups on the trophy bottles are hard to defend, but if you know where to look, there's a solid night of wine here for a reasonable bill.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waterfront / Cabrillo Blvd · Santa Barbara · Italian Steakhouse
Ca' Dario Steakhouse is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants serious Italian bottles with their steak without having to navigate a 300-label monster list. The markups trend steep, especially on the celebrity bottles, but the Santa Barbara Syrah and Sicilian options give value-hunters a legitimate path.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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