Margarita Town With a Decent Wine Backup
Old Town · Fort Collins · Tex-Mex / Mexican · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 1, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Let's be honest — you're coming to Rio Grande for the margaritas, and that's fine. But the wine list doesn't embarrass itself, which is more than we can say for most Tex-Mex spots. It's short, recognizable, and priced in a way that won't make you wince.
The list runs about 10-15 wines and sticks to familiar, grocery-store-aisle names: Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay, Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon, Parducci Pinot Noir, Ruta 22 Malbec from Argentina. There's no real regional exploration happening here — no Mexican wine, no obscure Baja pours, nothing that winks at the cuisine. What you get is a safe, crowd-pleasing lineup that covers the bases without taking any swings. The inclusion of a Freixenet alcohol-removed wine is a thoughtful nod to non-drinkers at the table, even if it's a head-scratcher on a wine list.
Nine options by the glass is a solid count for this kind of spot, spanning rosé, white, red, and sparkling. Prices land between $7 and $10.50, which is genuinely reasonable for Old Town Fort Collins in 2024. The happy hour rotation adds a few extra names — Jean-Luc Colombo Rosé, Carmel Road Pinot Noir, Spoken West Cabernet Sauvignon — that are a small step up from the standard list.
Haras de Pirque Sauvignon Blanc — $7.50
At $7.50 a glass, this Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from a respectable producer is the sharpest pour on the list. It's got enough acidity to cut through queso and hold its own against chile-forward dishes, and the retail markup is fair — you're not getting gouged.
Jean-Luc Colombo Rosé
Available during happy hour, this Rhône-based producer's rosé is a genuine step above the usual house pours. Most people at Rio Grande are reaching for a marg — which means the Colombo Rosé gets overlooked. Don't let it.
Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Wine
We respect the inclusion in theory, but alcohol-removed wine at a Mexican restaurant is a tough sell — the flavor profile suffers and there are better zero-proof options at the bar. Unless you have a specific reason to order it, skip it.
Ruta 22 Malbec + Smothered Burrito
A smothered burrito buried in red chile sauce needs something with body and fruit to stand up to it. The Ruta 22 Malbec from Argentina has enough dark fruit and weight to match the richness without fighting the heat — it's the most food-friendly red on the list for this kind of plate.
Wednesday — Wine Down Wednesdays: $2 off all glasses of wine and 50% off bottles, all day, dine-in or takeout.
The Bottom Line
Rio Grande isn't a wine destination, and it knows it — but Wine Down Wednesdays with 50% off bottles is a legitimately good deal that earns it a second look. Bring your margarita crew, order the Malbec with your burrito, and call it a win.
· Fort Collins · Wine Bar & Small Plates
Taste & Savor punches well above its strip mall zip code — a legit wine bar with knowledgeable staff and a deal-friendly Monday program worth building a night around. We'd send a wine-curious friend here without hesitation, and probably join them.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
· Fort Collins · Urban Winery & Wine Bar
OBC Wine Project is a confident one-producer show — no imported filler, no inflated markups, just Colorado wine priced fairly and poured without pretense. If you're in Fort Collins and want to understand what the state can do with a glass of wine, this is your stop.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Fort Collins · Italian Bistro & Wine Bar
Domenic's punches above its weight for a Fort Collins bistro — the Italian backbone is credible, the Pacific Northwest picks are genuinely good, and 25 by-the-glass options means you can explore without committing to a bottle. The top end leans on crowd pleasers, but there's enough here to keep a curious drinker happy across multiple visits.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Old Town · Fort Collins · Vegetarian / Plant-Based American
Tasty Harmony is not a wine bar, and it doesn't try to be — but it charges fair prices, pours across the whole list by the glass, and assembles a short list that actually makes sense with plant-based food. If you're eating here, drink the wine; you won't regret it.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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The Still is a genuinely fun spot for whiskey and red meat, but the wine list is a clear afterthought — overpriced grocery store bottles with no story to tell. Order a pour from their whiskey program and save the wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Fort Collins · Fort Collins · French-influenced bistro; seafood-focused
Bistro Nautile is a genuinely appealing restaurant let down by a wine list that plays it safe with familiar labels and then charges aggressively for the privilege. Drink by the glass, stick to the interesting outliers, and don't let the French bistro atmosphere talk you into a $68 bottle of Daou.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Craig Ranch / SH 121 · McKinney · Tex-Mex / Mexican
Blue Goose is a perfectly fun Tex-Mex night out — just don't come here for the wine. Order a margarita, eat the tamales, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that returns the favor.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Shops at Legacy · Plano · Tex-Mex / Mexican
Mi Dia From Scratch isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be one — and for a lively Tex-Mex dinner in Plano, the list does the job. Watch the markup on the familiar labels, lean into the Cava or the Mexican red, and spend your energy on the tableside guacamole.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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