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 →
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.
Uptown · Columbus · Fusion / New American
Vertigo shouldn't have a wine list this interesting — and that's the whole point. If you're anywhere near Columbus, Georgia and care even a little about what's in your glass, this place is worth the detour.
Surprising Depth
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Seafood chain
This is a wine program in name only — three crowd-pleaser labels at chain markups with no soul behind the selection. Order a cocktail or a beer and spend your money somewhere it's appreciated.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Rooftop American
Eighteen85 is a place to drink wine, not to drink well. Come for the view, order something cold, and set your expectations accordingly — the list won't surprise you, but at least it won't bankrupt you either.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · New American
For Columbus, Georgia, The Animal Farm's wine list is a genuine Wild Card — small but considered, fairly priced, and stocked with producers most local restaurants haven't heard of. We'd absolutely send a friend here with instructions to start with the Riesling and work their way through the whites.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Columbus · American / Bistro
The Loft is a great time if you're there for the music, the scene, or a solid burger — but the wine list is along for the ride, not leading the charge. Come thirsty for the atmosphere; manage your expectations on the glass.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
· San Diego · Seafood
The Fish Market's wine list is a workhorse, not a showpiece — it covers the basics for a seafood crowd without asking too much of anyone, including itself. If you're looking for a thoughtful wine experience to match the kitchen's seafood focus, you'll want to adjust your expectations; if you just want a cold glass of Albariño with your fish tacos, you're in fine shape. Seek out the Martín Códax and let the rest of the list do its thing for the table next to you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Gatlinburg · Seafood
Chesapeake's Gatlinburg isn't trying to win a wine award, and it doesn't need to — the list is honest, the pricing is fair for what it is, and the white wine depth is genuinely appropriate for a seafood restaurant. If you're in Gatlinburg and want a bottle that won't break the bank or embarrass you, you can do a lot worse than landing on that Dry Creek Chenin Blanc.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Sonoma · Seafood
Willi's is a wild card in the best sense — a casual Sonoma seafood bar running a wine list that belongs in a much more serious room. The by-the-glass depth alone is worth showing up for, and the pricing is honest by the region's standards. If you're anywhere near Healdsburg, order the Assyrtiko and thank us later.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
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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