Italian-Leaning List That Gets the Job Done
· Atlanta · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Pasta da Pulcinella’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Thirty-nine labels isn't a lot, but Pasta da Pulcinella's list reads like someone actually thought about it — there's a clear Italian backbone with enough domestic and regional detours to keep things interesting. It's not trying to be a wine bar, but it's not phoning it in either. For a neighborhood pasta spot, that's already a win.
The list leans predictably Italian — Gavi, Soave Classico, Falanghina, Vernaccia di San Gimignano — which is exactly what you want at a place called Pasta da Pulcinella. The Inama Soave Classico and Terredora Dipaolo Irpinia Falanghina are legitimate picks, not just filler. A Chehalem Pinot Gris from Willamette and a Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay add a Pacific Coast subplot that mostly works, though the Pinot Grigio section is a bit crowded with safe plays like Santa Margherita and Zenato. The red side of the list isn't visible in the data we have, but the sparkling and white situation here is genuinely solid for the format.
Thirteen by-the-glass options on a 39-bottle list is a healthy ratio — roughly one in three bottles makes the cut, which means you're not stuck choosing between house white and house red. The price band of $9–$17 per glass is reasonable for Atlanta, and options like the Inama Soave and the Medici Quercioli Lambrusco give you something worth ordering. No obvious rotation program, so don't expect seasonal surprises.
Inama Soave Classico — $9-$17 (glass)
Soave Classico from Inama is a serious wine — volcanic soils, Garganega grape, real texture — and seeing it on a by-the-glass list at a neighborhood Italian spot is exactly the kind of find that makes dinner better. Order it before someone else takes the last pour.
Terredora Dipaolo Irpinia Falanghina
Most people at a pasta restaurant are going to reach for the Pinot Grigio out of habit. Don't. Falanghina from Campania is a fuller, more interesting white with a saline mineral edge that most Italian whites can't match — and Terredora Dipaolo is one of the reliable producers working with the grape.
Veuve Clicquot Brut
Veuve at a restaurant is almost always a markup trap, and there's nothing here to suggest otherwise. The Gruet Brut Rosé or Piper Heidsieck on the same list will drink well for significantly less money. Save the Clicquot for somewhere that earns the premium.
Medici Quercioli Lambrusco + Fresh pasta with red sauce
Lambrusco and tomato-based pasta is one of those regional Emilian combos that just works — the wine's light fizz and dark berry acidity cut through the richness of a slow-cooked ragu or a bright marinara without fighting it. This is what the Italians have been doing for centuries and the menu at Pulcinella is the right place to let it play out.
The Bottom Line
Pasta da Pulcinella isn't trying to be a wine destination, but its list is thoughtful enough that you don't have to settle. Stick to the Italian whites, skip the Veuve, and you'll leave happy.
· Atlanta · Mediterranean
Elektra's list is small and smart — a rare combination. The commitment to Greek, Lebanese, and Southern French producers gives it a personality most restaurants with three times the selection can't claim. If you're in the mood to drink something you haven't tried before without getting lectured about it, this list holds up.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Modern Latin
Botanico isn't trying to out-depth the wine bars — it's building a short, intentional list that mirrors its Modern Latin identity, and mostly it works. The by-the-glass availability is excellent, the producers are genuinely interesting, and the Vale de Bomfim and Monte Xanic chenin blanc alone are worth the detour. Markups keep this from being a steal, but if you're here for the food and want a wine that actually makes sense with it, you won't be left stranded.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Buckhead · Atlanta · Italian
Cucina Baci earns its place as a reliable neighborhood Italian — the kind of spot where the wine list won't blow your mind but it won't embarrass you either. If you're going for the pizza, the pasta, and the warm room energy, order something Italian and red and let the evening do the work. We'd want a full look at the list before calling it anything more than that.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · New American / Tasting Menu
Choose your courses, then choose your glasses. Bacchanalia's posted pairings give you concrete options: Carl Loewen Riesling at $24 with crab, or Ca' La Bionda Ripasso at $27 with duck. Ask which suggestions match tonight's menu before committing to the wine bill.
Midtown · Atlanta · Southern European
Start with the $14 Vostinic-Klasnic Ikons if you want to explore beyond familiar grapes, or the $16 chilled La Galoche Gamay if that's your lane. Lyla Lila's posted glass list makes trying something different a one-glass decision, not a whole-bottle commitment.
· Atlanta · New American
Siren has a wine list that punches above its weight in a few key areas — particularly the by-the-glass whites and the Champagne bottle program — but the markup structure means you're spending real money to access it. If you're the kind of diner who wants to order Furmint on a Tuesday night in Atlanta, this is one of the few places that makes that possible, and that alone earns it a spot on the shortlist.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Aspen · Italian
Mezzaluna's wine list is a missed opportunity in a town that could easily support something far more interesting. The markups are real — Santa Margherita at $64 and Joel Gott Cab at $60 are doing the heavy lifting on margin — and the selection never ventures beyond brands your parents recognize. If you're eating here, drink the Frescobaldi or the Ruffino Riserva and call it a night; don't expect the list to surprise you.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Logan Square · Chicago · Italian
For a bottle night, start with Thursday's advertised half-price selection. Wednesday's posted four-course menu is $55 with an optional $30 wine pairing, before other charges. The restaurant discloses a 3.75% administrative fee on guest checks; confirm current terms when booking.
Back Bay · Boston · Italian
Keep a white-glass budget below $20 with the posted Bollini or CasalFarneto options. Want reserve Nebbiolo? Compare the $36 Barbaresco with the $46 Barolo after checking pour sizes. Menu-based guidance checked in September 2026; prices and availability can change.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
