Margaritas Yes, Wine List Not So Much
West Duluth · Duluth · Mexican · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 12, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Margarita's Bar & Grill’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Margarita's is exactly what you'd expect from a lively West Duluth Mexican bar and grill — it exists, and that's about the nicest thing we can say about it. Seven labels, all the usual suspects, no surprises. The real action here is clearly in the margarita department, and honestly, that's fine.
The list runs through the generic varietal checklist: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio. No producers are named anywhere we could find, no regions called out, no story being told. This is wine as a box to tick, not a program someone built with intention. There are no bottles that would make a wine-curious diner do a double take — for better or worse.
All seven wines are available by the glass at $8 a pop, which is at least consistent and easy to navigate. There's no rotation, no seasonal swap-in, no attempt to keep things interesting — what's listed is what's listed, full stop. At $8 a glass in Duluth, the pricing is fair enough that you won't feel burned, just underwhelmed.
Riesling — $8
If you're eating tacos or anything with chile heat, Riesling is the one glass on this list doing actual food-pairing work. At $8, it's the most purposeful pour they offer.
Sauvignon Blanc
Most people here are ordering Cabs and Merlots out of habit. The Sauvignon Blanc is the better call with the lighter menu items — it at least has a shot at cutting through the acidity in the salsa verde.
Merlot
An unnamed Merlot at a Mexican restaurant is a swing that almost never connects. Without a producer or region attached, there's no reason to believe this is anything other than bulk wine in a stem. Order the margarita.
Riesling + Fajitas
The char and spice from the fajita plate needs something with a little sweetness and acidity to hold up — Riesling is the only wine on this list built for that job.
The Bottom Line
Margarita's is a genuinely fun neighborhood spot, but the wine list is an afterthought dressed up as a decision. Come for the fajitas and the cocktails — if you must have wine, grab the Riesling and move on.
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Lake Superior Brewing has no business having a wine list this interesting, and we mean that as a full compliment. If you're in Duluth and you want to drink wine somewhere that actually thought about it, this brewpub is the surprising answer.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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This is a cocktail bar that slipped a legitimately interesting nine-bottle wine list into the corner without making a big deal about it — and we respect the quiet confidence. Don't come here for a deep cellar experience, but do come here knowing you have real options beyond the well liquor.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Duluth · Italian
Va Bene is presumably doing something right in the kitchen, but the wine list is a two-item afterthought that tells you this place doesn't take wine seriously. Order a glass, enjoy your pasta, and don't expect anything more.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Duluth · European / Hotel Restaurant
Midi is doing more with 38 labels than most hotel restaurants do with 80. The aromatic white selection alone makes it worth a serious look, and the pricing won't leave you feeling robbed on the way out.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Duluth · Italian-American and Pizza
Sammy's is a Duluth institution and the pizza earns its reputation — the wine list is just not the point, and the restaurant isn't pretending otherwise. Order a beer or grab the cheapest glass pour, eat the pizza, and be happy.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Canal Park · Duluth · American, Bar, Pizza
Old Chicago Duluth isn't a wine destination and doesn't pretend to be — it's a reliable fallback for the table member who wants a glass of something decent while everyone else works through the tap list. If you stick to the Ste. Michelle Riesling, you'll leave satisfied; just don't come here expecting anything that will make you put down your pizza.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Fayetteville · Mexican
CT Cantina is here for the tacos, and honestly, you should be too. The wine list is a functional afterthought — safe brands, no pricing transparency, and zero personality. Order a margarita, grab a beer, and revisit the wine question somewhere that's actually thinking about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Oakhurst · Atlanta · Mexican
A short, easygoing list of eleven wines and a $7 house pour, with ten of the eleven at $8 or $9 a glass. Order the Anciano No5 Crianza Rioja at $9, or the Viña Brujanda Tempranillo at $8 if you want to spend less, and confirm current prices since the list is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Bell Tower Shops / South Fort Myers · Fort Myers · Mexican
A compact 13-wine list for a Mexican restaurant, with half-off wine by the glass at the bar on posted days. Start with the Marqués de Cáceres Rosé at 8 | 28, or the Catena Malbec at 10 | 37 if you want a red, and ask which number is the glass. Wine prices are posted without units and the menu is undated, so confirm what the Fort Myers bar is pouring. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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