Old Chicago Muscle With Italian Wine Cred
River North · Chicago · Italian Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 13, 2026
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
Downtown Amarillo · Amarillo · Italian Steakhouse
Toscana is doing the most with wine in a city that doesn't ask much of its restaurants on that front. The markups sting and the list plays it relatively safe, but if you're eating in Downtown Amarillo and want a real wine experience, this is your spot.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Dewitt · Syracuse · Italian Steakhouse
The pricing is honest and the happy hour is a genuine deal, but a restaurant called Delmonico's Italian SteakHouse deserves a wine list with more than grocery store standbys and zero Italian representation. Order the MacMurray Pinot, enjoy your steak, and don't overthink it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Scarsdale · Scarsdale · Italian Steakhouse
One Rare earned its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and you can see why — the Italian-California combo is executed with genuine care, and the Barolo and Super Tuscan selections give the list some real teeth. Just know you're paying Westchester upscale prices for mostly Westchester upscale tastes, so point yourself toward the Italian half of the list and you'll leave satisfied.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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