Old-School Red Sauce, Honest Italian Pours
Midtown Bakersfield · Bakersfield · Italian-American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Luigi's Restaurant & Delicatessen’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Luigi's is exactly what you'd expect from a decades-old Bakersfield institution — short, Italian-forward, and unpretentious. It doesn't try to be anything it isn't, which is honestly refreshing. You're here for the food and the vibe, and the wine is playing a supporting role it understands.
The list runs 20 to 40 bottles and leans into its Italian identity with selections like Chianti, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and Pinot Grigio delle Venezie alongside some California options. It's not deep — there's no Barolo hiding in a back cellar — but every bottle earns its spot on the menu. The Italy-California split makes sense for the crowd, covering the traditionalist who wants to drink Italian with their pasta and the regular who defaults to a California red. Gaps exist: no sparkling, no rosé visible, and zero adventurousness beyond the expected regions, but the list is coherent rather than scattered.
Four to eight options by the glass in the $8–$12 range is genuinely respectable for a casual deli-restaurant in Bakersfield. The pours appear to include the Italian house red, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, and likely the Chianti — solid everyday options without a lot of drama. Don't expect the list to rotate seasonally; what's up there has probably been up there for a while.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo — $30
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo at this price point is almost always a win — the grape delivers dark fruit and a rustic savory edge that punches well above its cost, and it's a natural fit for Luigi's red sauce-heavy menu.
Pinot Grigio delle Venezie
Most people sleep on Pinot Grigio at an Italian-American joint, but delle Venezie is the better-quality designation — crisper and more aromatic than generic mass-market Pinot Grigio. It's a genuinely good call here, especially if you're starting with lighter antipasti.
Italian house red
At a place with Chianti and Montepulciano on the list, the nameless house red feels like a step down with limited upside. Spend a few dollars more and get something with an actual identity.
Chianti + Pasta with meat sauce
Chianti's high acidity and earthy cherry character cut through a rich meat sauce without competing with it — this is the pairing that Italian-American restaurants were invented for. Classic for a reason.
The Bottom Line
Luigi's isn't a wine destination, but the list is honest, priced fairly, and built to complement the food — which is exactly the job. Send a friend here for dinner without hesitation; just don't send them expecting a deep cellar.
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