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 →
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.
Logan Square · Chicago · Italian
Come to Osteria Langhe for a focused trip through Piedmontese wine. Thursday’s advertised half-price selection is worth asking about, and Wednesday offers a wine pairing alongside the four-course menu. The linked wine list is dated December 2025, so confirm today’s bottles and prices before choosing.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American Casual
Summer House is not a wine destination, but it's a reliable place to drink well enough without getting gouged on the low end — just steer clear of the big-name bottles where the markup climbs. Send your friend here if they want something easy and good; don't send them here if they're chasing something serious.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · Italian
il Carciofo is doing something genuinely rare: building a wine list that treats Italian regional variety as the main event, not the footnote. If you're tired of the same Pinot Grigio and Chianti Classico circuit, this is exactly where you should be eating dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Chicago · Chicago · Steakhouse
STK Chicago is here to sell you a night out, and the wine list is just part of the set dressing. If you care about what's in your glass, eat here for the steak and order water.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · French Brasserie
La Grande Boucherie Chicago is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants a French-focused list executed with genuine effort and the occasional smart value. The markups aren't shy, but the BTG program and specials take some of the sting out — go in with a plan and you'll drink well.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
· Chicago · Steakhouse
This is not the wine list you expect to find at The Palm, and that's exactly why it earns attention. Six bottles, zero filler, genuinely fair pricing — if someone's tending this list, they deserve a raise.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Peoria · Italian Steakhouse
Johnny's wine list is exactly what it is: a well-curated collection of American crowd-pleasers with markups to match the steakhouse zip code. You won't be wowed, but you won't be stuck either — and 28 glasses by the pour means you have options.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· College Station · Italian Steakhouse
The wine list here is an afterthought dressed up with four surprisingly good dessert wines. Come for the steak, order water or a cocktail through dinner, then let the back half of this list redeem itself.
Grocery Store
Acceptable
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Reston · Reston · Italian Steakhouse
Davio's Reston is a reliable wine destination if your expectations match the room — it's a steakhouse wine list, not a wine bar list. The by-the-glass breadth saves it, and a few smart picks like the Pieropan Soave keep it from being totally forgettable.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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