Great river views, leave the wine alone
Riverfront · Cincinnati · American Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Moerlein Lager House’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
This is a beer hall that happens to have a wine list, and the wine list knows it. You get the sense the wines were selected by someone whose primary job was definitely not wine. The list reads like a grocery store endcap that got a restaurant price tag stapled to it.
The list leans almost entirely on California and Pacific Northwest supermarket staples — Josh Cellars, Beringer, Robert Mondavi Private Selection. There's a token nod to Italy with the Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, but that's about as adventurous as it gets. No interesting producers, no regional curiosity, no effort to match the depth of the craft beer program that clearly owns the room. If you're hoping for any old-world representation beyond a mass-market Italian import, keep hoping.
There are 8 to 12 pours available, which sounds like a reasonable spread until you realize they're pulling from essentially the same roster of bulk-production brands. Rotation appears to be non-existent — this list feels like it hasn't changed since the place opened. At least there are options, even if none of them are particularly worth ordering.
Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio Veneto 2023 — $34
It's still overpriced at 162% over retail, but among a bad lot it's the most drinkable option — light, inoffensive, and a decent call if you're eating the fish and chips and refuse to drink beer on principle.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Merlot California NV
It's not a gem by any stretch, but if you need a red and want something softer than the Josh Cab, this is the least aggressive option on the list — just know you're paying $32 for a $12 bottle.
Beringer White Zinfandel California NV
A 250% markup on White Zinfandel is arguably the most confident bad decision on this list. At $28 a bottle, you're paying fine-dining prices for something that retails for $8 at a gas station. Hard no.
Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio Veneto 2023 + Fish and Chips
Crisp, neutral, and high in acidity — the Pinot Grigio cuts through the fried batter without competing with it. It's the one moment on this list where the wine and the food actually make sense together.
The Bottom Line
Moerlein Lager House is one of Cincinnati's best spots for craft beer, and that's exactly what you should order here. The wine list is an afterthought dressed up with gastropub prices — we'd send a friend here for a cold lager and the pretzel bites, not a bottle of anything.
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
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Basic Stemmed
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
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Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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