Iberian soul hiding in upstate New York
Armory Square · Syracuse · Spanish Tapas
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Laci's Tapas Bar’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Walking into Laci's, you don't expect much from the wine list — it's a tapas spot in Syracuse, after all. But flip it open and there's a genuine attempt to match the food: Spanish and Portuguese labels anchoring the list, with a nod to Argentina to keep things accessible. It's not deep, but it's honest.
The list clocks in at somewhere between 20 and 35 labels, which is modest but focused enough to feel intentional. Spain leads the charge with Rioja and Albariño representing the Iberian core, while Tempranillo shows up in a couple of expressions that make sense alongside the small-plates format. Portugal and Argentina fill out the edges without overstaying their welcome. There are gaps — no Sherry, no Txakoli, nothing particularly adventurous — but what's here at least tells a coherent story.
Eight by-the-glass options is a reasonable count for a list this size, and the lineup leans into the Iberian theme rather than defaulting to a wall of California Cab and Pinot Grigio. We'd like to see a little more rotation to keep things lively, but for a neighborhood tapas bar in Armory Square, this is a respectable glass program.
Albariño — $12
Albariño and tapas is one of the more reliable combos in existence — briny, bright, and cut for food. At typical by-the-glass pricing for this market, it likely punches well above its cost and keeps the whole meal moving.
Cava
Most people at a tapas bar order still wine on autopilot. The Cava here deserves more attention — it's built for sharing small plates, it's almost certainly the best value on the list, and nobody around you is ordering it.
Tempranillo
Without knowing the specific producer, generic Tempranillo at a mid-tier markup is the safe, forgettable choice. If you're going to drink Spanish red, make sure you're getting a Rioja with some actual structure — not just a label that says Tempranillo.
Albariño + Spanish sliders
The Albariño's citrus-forward acidity cuts through the richness of the sliders without competing with whatever sauce situation is happening. It's the kind of pairing that just makes the food taste better.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Laci's isn't a destination wine bar, but it's doing something right — a focused Iberian list that actually matches the menu in a city where that's genuinely rare. Send a friend here with the explicit instruction to order the Cava and the Albariño.
East Syracuse / Carrier Circle · Syracuse · Italian-American
Joey's is clearly a beloved Syracuse institution doing right by its food and its new space — but the wine list is running on autopilot and charging you for the privilege. Come for the Chicken Riggies, just don't come for the wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Syracuse · Italian / New American
A Mano isn't a destination wine list, but it's an honest one — fair prices, Italian focus that matches the food, and enough by-the-glass options to drink well without overthinking it. Send a friend here for dinner without hesitation; just don't promise them a cellar tour.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Syracuse · Seafood
The Fish Friar has no business having a wine list this well-considered, and we mean that as a compliment. If you're eating fried fish in downtown Syracuse and you're not ordering the Chablis or the Finger Lakes Riesling, you're leaving something on the table.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Skaneateles / Greater Syracuse · Syracuse · French
Joelle's isn't trying to be a wine destination — it's a French bistro that takes its wine list seriously enough to match the food, and that's exactly what it delivers. If you're eating here and drinking French, you'll leave satisfied.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Skaneateles · Syracuse · American, regional tavern fare
The Sherwood Inn is a reliable wine stop, not a destination one — the Finger Lakes selections are genuinely good, but the markups on crowd-pleaser bottles are hard to forgive. Stick to the local producers, skip the California staples, and you'll drink well enough in a room that earns its keep on atmosphere alone.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Skaneateles · Syracuse · Modern American, Fine Dining
The Krebs is a genuinely special place to eat — the setting, the food, the occasion of it all — but the wine program is coasting on the restaurant's reputation rather than earning its own. Until someone with real passion takes over that list, treat the wine budget as a tax and order accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Belmont · Charlottesville · Spanish Tapas
Mas Tapas is the kind of place that earns a Wild Card badge because nobody walks in expecting a 2008 Priorat and a serious Galician white selection in a Belmont neighborhood spot. The markups keep it from being a destination for bottle hunters, but the by-the-glass depth and Spain-first focus make it one of the more interesting wine experiences in Charlottesville.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Evanston · Evanston · Spanish Tapas
Tapas Barcelona isn't trying to be a wine destination, but its focused Spanish list, fair pricing, and all-day glass pours make it an easy neighborhood win. Send a friend here if they want good wine with their tapas without overthinking it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Ann Arbor · Spanish Tapas
Aventura isn't trying to be a wine destination, but its all-Spain list is focused and fairly priced in a way that makes the wine program feel like an asset rather than an afterthought. Take a date, order the Albariño, and work through the tapas menu.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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