Éric's Casual Spot Earns Its Wine Stripes
Warehouse District · New Orleans · Regional · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 15, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Meril’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Meril walks in with a California-forward wine list that punches above its casual Warehouse District energy — this isn't a clipboard menu of Kendall-Jackson and house Cab. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (held since 2019) isn't just a wall decoration here; you can feel the intention behind the list the moment you open it.
The list runs 150-250 bottles with a clear California-and-France backbone — Kistler and Ramey anchor the Chardonnay section with serious credibility, while Ridge Monte Bello and Stag's Leap cover the Cab side of things at different price points. France shows up through Louis Jadot Burgundy and Domaine Weinbach's Alsace bottlings, adding some Old World texture without going full deep-cellar. There's a noticeable gap in Southern Hemisphere and natty wine representation, which feels like a miss given the restaurant's global-influence menu and downtown-NOLA crowd. That said, Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir as a bridge pick shows someone on staff is thinking beyond the obvious.
With 20-35 by-the-glass options and glasses topping out around $22, there's genuine range here rather than the usual four-wines-nobody-asked-for situation. The pour selection appears to track the bottle list closely, meaning you can actually explore the California and French strengths without committing to a full bottle. Rotation details are thin, but with Lauren Briley on staff as the resident sommelier, we'd expect some thoughtful curation behind those glass picks.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $12
At the low end of the glass pricing, Ste. Michelle Riesling brings genuine quality from one of Washington's most consistent producers — it's the kind of pick that makes Gulf fish and Louisiana shrimp sing without emptying your wallet.
Domaine Weinbach Alsace
Most people at Meril are scanning for Cab or Chardonnay and completely skip past this. Weinbach is one of Alsace's benchmark estates and their bottlings offer complexity that blows past anything at a comparable price point — if it's on the list, order it.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag's Leap is a perfectly fine wine, but it's also one of the most recognizable Napa names around — and restaurant markup on recognizable Napa Cab is rarely kind. At a place with Ridge Monte Bello on the same list, there's a more interesting dollar spent elsewhere.
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir + Smoked duck
Drouhin's Oregon Pinot has the earthy, red-fruit backbone to cut through duck fat and complement the smoke without bullying the meat. It's the kind of pairing that makes you feel like you planned the whole meal in advance.
✔️ The Bottom Line
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.
· 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
French Quarter · New Orleans · French, European
MaMou is a Burgundy love letter set inside a French Quarter bistro, and for the right diner — someone who wants to eat duck confit and drink Drouhin — it absolutely delivers. Just know what you're walking into: a focused, France-first list with prices that reflect it.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Historic Third Ward · Milwaukee · Regional
Ash is a reliable, California-centric wine program that earns its Wine Spectator nod without overreaching. Send a friend here if they want a good bottle with a great meal — just tell them to stick to the West Coast and avoid the trophy bottles.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Easton · Easton · Regional
The Stewart is a genuine surprise on the Eastern Shore — a cocktail lounge with a brass-and-marble soul that quietly runs a Wine Spectator-recognized program with a real sommelier steering it. Hit it on a Wednesday and you've found one of the best wine deals in Maryland.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
Waikīkī · Honolulu · Regional
Hau Tree earns its Wine Spectator nod — this is a genuinely considered list in a setting where mediocrity would have been completely forgiven. If you're in Waikīkī and want a glass of something real with your toes near the sand, this is the place.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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