Cheddar Bay Biscuits Can't Save This List
Midtown Columbus · Columbus · Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Red Lobster’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
The wine list at Red Lobster 13th St. reads exactly like you'd expect from a national chain that treats wine as an afterthought — a laminated insert tucked behind the cocktail menu. Every label here is a familiar grocery store face, and the pricing makes sure you know they're aware of that.
We're looking at 15-25 bottles leaning hard on California, Washington State, and New Zealand — think Kendall-Jackson, Kim Crawford, and Chateau Ste. Michelle doing all the heavy lifting. There's no exploration here, no regional character, and no producer that would make a wine-curious diner pause. The list exists to check a box, not to elevate the seafood. Gaps everywhere: no rosé worth mentioning, no bubbles that aren't bottom-shelf, and nothing from anywhere interesting.
Six to ten pours by the glass, but they're essentially the same six wines that have been rotating on chain restaurant lists since 2009. Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc will be there — reliably, indefinitely. Don't expect rotation or any sense that someone is paying attention.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $8
It's the one wine on this list that actually belongs next to seafood. Off-dry, bright acidity, and a legitimate Washington State producer — it's the most honest pour in the house.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
Most tables here are reaching for the Chardonnay out of habit, but this Riesling is the sleeper. It cuts through buttery sauces, plays well with shellfish, and nobody at your table will fight you for the last pour.
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
A $12-14 retail bottle landing at chain-restaurant markup pricing. You're paying a significant premium for a wine you can grab at any Kroger on the way home. Save your money.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling + Lobster Tail
The gentle sweetness and zippy acidity in the Riesling actually complement the natural sweetness of lobster without getting steamrolled by butter. It's the one moment on this list where the wine and the kitchen are working together.
The Bottom Line
Red Lobster 13th St. is not a wine destination — it's a seafood chain where wine exists because a menu has to have one. Order the Riesling with your lobster tail, enjoy the Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and make your peace with it.
Riverwalk / Downtown Columbus · Columbus · American
Denim & Oak isn't going to make anyone's wine pilgrimage list, but for Columbus, Georgia, it's a legitimately decent place to drink — fair prices, a deep BTG program, and Wine Down Wednesday as a reason to come back. Just steer clear of the Concha y Toro and head straight for the Orin Swift or the Oregon section.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
North Columbus · Columbus · American Barbecue and Grill
Smokey Bones is a perfectly fine place to eat ribs and watch a game — just don't come here for the wine. Order a cold beer, save your wine budget for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Columbus / Whittlesey Boulevard · Columbus · Modern American
Ivory & Oak is a reliable wine stop in a city that isn't exactly crawling with serious lists — the room is great, the pours are familiar, and the markup is the main thing holding it back from something better. Go for the steak, order the Merlot, and don't expect to be challenged.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Airport / East Columbus · Columbus · Hotel Restaurant
If you're stuck at the DoubleTree and the flight is delayed, Houlihan's will keep you fed and adequately watered — but don't mistake that for a wine program worth seeking out. Order the Etude Pinot or the Malbec, skip the sangria, and manage your expectations accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Airport / East Columbus · Columbus · American Bar & Grill
This is airport-adjacent chain wine, full stop — familiar labels at inflated prices for a captive audience that mostly wants something cold and wet after traveling. Order a cocktail instead, or hit the hotel bar and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Uptown · Columbus · Pub
The Rail Pub is not here to advance your wine education, and that's fine — it's a pub, it sells beer, and the wine list exists as an afterthought for the table that didn't want beer. Order the J. Lohr if you need a glass of something real; otherwise, get a pint and stop looking at the wine menu.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Carmel · Carmel By The Sea · Seafood
Catch is a dependable wine stop for a seafood dinner in Carmel — nothing here will disappoint you, but nothing will surprise you either. If you go in with calibrated expectations and order the Schramsberg with your crab, you'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Hood River · Hood River · Seafood
Votum is operating a world-class wine program in a town most people only stop through on the way to a hike — the depth of this cellar belongs in a major city restaurant, and the sommelier presence means you're not navigating it alone. The markups on the prestige bottles will sting, but find your entry point and this list rewards serious attention.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Bowen's Wharf · Newport · Seafood
The Lobster Bar isn't a wine destination, but it's a perfectly competent list for what the restaurant is — a casual waterfront spot where the lobster is the star. Order the Sancerre, eat the oysters, watch the boats.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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