Upscale Seafood with Solid Wine Fundamentals
French Quarter · New Orleans · Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed GW Fins’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
GW Fins presents a seafood-focused wine list that plays it safe with crowd-pleasers and classic pairings. The list leans heavily into whites and bubbles—expected for a fish house—but doesn't venture far beyond the usual suspects. It's the kind of list where you know what you're getting before you open it.
The selection skews French and domestic with predictable strength in Burgundy whites, California Chardonnay, and Loire Valley options. There's a respectable showing of German Rieslings and Austrian Grüner Veltliners that make sense with delicate fish preparations. The red side feels like an afterthought—mostly Pinot Noir and light-bodied options that won't overpower the seafood. You won't find much in the way of natural wines, orange wines, or adventurous producers here. It's competent but conservative.
The glass pour program runs about 12-15 selections with the expected rotation of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio. They'll occasionally feature a Chablis or Sancerre by the glass, which elevates things slightly. The pours are generous and service is attentive, though staff knowledge varies depending on who's working. Expect New Orleans pricing—not cheap, but not outrageous for a tourist-heavy French Quarter spot.
Trimbach Riesling — $52
Classic Alsatian structure that handles everything from oysters to richer fish without breaking the bank
Matthiasson Napa Valley White
If they're carrying it, this Ribolla Gialla-based blend brings herbal complexity that cuts through butter sauces better than any Chardonnay
Whispering Angel Rosé
Marked up to $65+ for a bottle that retails at $25—pure brand tax with zero justification
Domaine Vacheron Sancerre + Wood-Grilled Fish with Lemon Butter
The wine's minerality and citrus edge mirror the char and acidity on the plate—textbook Loire-meets-Gulf-seafood synergy
The Bottom Line
GW Fins won't blow your mind with wine list creativity, but it won't embarrass you either. The list does what it needs to do for a seafood restaurant—whites that work, fair glassware, and staff who try. Just watch the markup on the big names.
· New Orleans · Restaurant
Emeril's wine list punches above its size with smart French selections and a genuine commitment to aged bottles — but the markup is real and the by-the-glass story is unclear. Go in knowing what you want and you'll drink well; go in blind and your wallet may feel the consequences.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
New Orleans · New Orleans · American, Steakhouse
Chemin a La Mer is a solid steakhouse wine list wearing a French accent — dependable, occasionally exciting, and priced for the occasion rather than the adventurous drinker. If you're here for the river views and a bone-in cut, the wine list will take care of you without surprises.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Bywater · New Orleans · American, Creole
The Country Club is a genuinely wild New Orleans experience that happens to have a respectable, fairly priced wine list attached — and that's more than most places with a pool and a clothing policy can say. Send a friend here for the vibe, tell them to order the Riesling with the shrimp and grits, and let the afternoon take care of itself.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
French Quarter · New Orleans · Creole, French
Tableau is a reliable, well-curated stop for serious wine drinkers who also want one of the better dining rooms in the French Quarter. The list earns its Wine Spectator nod — just keep an eye on which bottles you're reaching for if the check matters.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
French Quarter / Riverfront · New Orleans · Creole
Miss River earns its Wine Spectator nod — this is a genuinely thoughtful list tucked inside a hotel restaurant, with a real sommelier and real producers backing it up. Markup keeps it from being a destination for the wine alone, but paired with the food, it's one of the better all-in dining experiences on the river.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Warehouse District · New Orleans · Regional
Meril is a reliable wine destination in a city that doesn't always take its wine lists seriously — with a real sommelier, a credible California-France selection, and fair pricing, it earns its Award of Excellence the honest way. Send a friend here, tell them to look past the obvious Napa picks, and let Lauren Briley's list do the rest.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Carmel · Carmel By The Sea · Seafood
Catch is a dependable wine stop for a seafood dinner in Carmel — nothing here will disappoint you, but nothing will surprise you either. If you go in with calibrated expectations and order the Schramsberg with your crab, you'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Hood River · Hood River · Seafood
Votum is operating a world-class wine program in a town most people only stop through on the way to a hike — the depth of this cellar belongs in a major city restaurant, and the sommelier presence means you're not navigating it alone. The markups on the prestige bottles will sting, but find your entry point and this list rewards serious attention.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Bowen's Wharf · Newport · Seafood
The Lobster Bar isn't a wine destination, but it's a perfectly competent list for what the restaurant is — a casual waterfront spot where the lobster is the star. Order the Sancerre, eat the oysters, watch the boats.
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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