Grand Avenue's Italian wine list done right
Grand Avenue · St. Paul · Italian-inspired, seasonal New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Hyacinth reads like someone actually thought about what goes with pasta — which, at a pasta-forward restaurant, should be obvious, but isn't always. Italy leads the charge here, with bottles that feel chosen rather than just ordered from a distributor catalog. The price range is approachable enough that you won't wince when ordering a second bottle.
The list is Italy-first and makes no apologies for it, pulling from Tuscany, Piedmont, Campania, Sicily, and Veneto — a solid regional sweep that rewards curious drinkers without overwhelming them. Produttori del Barbaresco showing up on a Grand Avenue neighborhood spot is genuinely exciting; that cooperative makes some of the most honest Nebbiolo in Piedmont, and it earns its spot on any serious Italian list. Donnafugata's Etna Bianco adds a volcanic edge that most mid-range wine programs wouldn't bother with. The list probably doesn't run much deeper than 80-ish labels, but every region represented has at least one producer worth ordering.
Eight to fourteen by-the-glass options is a reasonable spread for a room this size, and if the bottle list is any guide, the pours skew toward Italian classics with some range across red, white, and likely sparkling. The Tiamo Chianti almost certainly anchors the approachable end of the glass list — decent everyday Tuscan, nothing to write home about but nothing to complain about either. We'd push for the higher end of the glass program here; the better picks likely sit closer to that $16-$18 tier.
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco — $80
Produttori del Barbaresco is a cooperative that punches well above its weight class — classic Nebbiolo structure, real terroir expression, and none of the ego-driven markup that follows bigger Barolo names. At what should be a reasonable bottle price for this list, it's the move if you're splitting a bottle over the ragù.
Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi
Most tables will walk right past this one, which is a mistake. Lacryma Christi from Campania — grown on the slopes of Vesuvius — is one of southern Italy's most distinctive bottles. Mastroberardino is the benchmark producer for this appellation, and it tastes like nowhere else on earth. Order it before someone at the next table does.
Tiamo Chianti
It's fine. It's just not interesting. Tiamo is a serviceable, widely distributed Chianti that you can find at most grocery stores — and at restaurant markup, you're paying a premium for a bottle that costs $12 retail. With Fontodi Chianti Classico also on the list, there's simply no reason to order this one.
Fontodi Chianti Classico + Seasonal ragù pasta
Fontodi's Chianti Classico is textbook Sangiovese — bright acidity, earthy depth, and just enough tannin to cut through a rich, slow-cooked meat sauce. It's the kind of pairing that feels obvious only after you've had it, which is the best kind.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Hyacinth isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the list it's built is thoughtful enough that wine drinkers won't feel like an afterthought. If you're eating pasta on Grand Avenue, this is where we'd want to be drinking.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.