Adriatic Wines Meet Chicago Ambition
West Loop · Chicago · Croatian-Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Rose Mary’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
This is what happens when a kitchen with Croatian roots meets a sommelier with serious European wine obsession. The 150+ bottle list reads like a love letter to the Adriatic and Northern Italy, with enough depth in Champagne and Burgundy to keep the Francophiles happy. You don't see Istrian Refošk and Slavonian wines on many Chicago lists — this is the exception.
The Italian section is where Rose Mary flexes hardest: deep cuts in Piedmont (Gaja Costa Russi at $900 if you're celebrating something major), Friuli skin-contact legends like Gravner Ribolla Gialla ($276), and serious Tuscany representation with Isole e Olena Cepparello ($280). The Croatian and Slovenian selections aren't token inclusions — they're thoughtfully curated with producers like Rodića showing the region's potential. California gets some play but takes a backseat to the Old World focus, and the Champagne selection punches above its weight with grower gems like Egly-Ouriet ($300). The only gap? No half-bottle options for indecisive duos.
Eighteen by-the-glass pours running $13-$25 is a solid spread, and they're not phoning it in with the usual suspects. You've got Lambrusco from Medici Ermete ($15), Istrian Refošk rosé from Rodića ($17), and even a Franciacorta from Le Machesine ($18) that shows they're serious about bubbles. The rotation seems static rather than seasonal, but the quality-to-price ratio on most pours makes up for the lack of turnover.
Bernard Coste 'Mont Rose' Zero Grenache NV — $13
A skin-contact Grenache for thirteen bucks by the glass with only 38% markup over retail? They're practically giving this away. Savory, textured, and weird in the best way.
Paolo Bea Sagrantino
Most people skip Sagrantino thinking it's too tannic and brooding, but Bea's natural approach softens the edges while keeping that dark fruit intensity. At $270-$338, it's not cheap, but it's a masterclass in Umbrian winemaking that pairs shockingly well with the wood-fired octopus.
Beckmen Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2023
A 172% markup on a $25 retail bottle to charge $68 is highway robbery, even if Beckmen makes good wine. There are better values all over this list.
Rodića Refošk 'Col Fondo' Rosé 2022 + Crudo
This cloudy, unfiltered Istrian rosé has the salinity and acidity to cut through raw fish while the col fondo texture adds just enough grip. It's like the wine version of the Adriatic coast.
The Bottom Line
Rose Mary isn't just serving Croatian food with Croatian wines as a gimmick — this is a legitimately excellent wine program that happens to specialize in a region most Americans ignore. Fair markups, knowledgeable staff, and a list that rewards curiosity make this a wine geek destination.
Logan Square · Chicago · Italian
Come to Osteria Langhe for a focused trip through Piedmontese wine. Thursday’s advertised half-price selection is worth asking about, and Wednesday offers a wine pairing alongside the four-course menu. The linked wine list is dated December 2025, so confirm today’s bottles and prices before choosing.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American Casual
Summer House is not a wine destination, but it's a reliable place to drink well enough without getting gouged on the low end — just steer clear of the big-name bottles where the markup climbs. Send your friend here if they want something easy and good; don't send them here if they're chasing something serious.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · Italian
il Carciofo is doing something genuinely rare: building a wine list that treats Italian regional variety as the main event, not the footnote. If you're tired of the same Pinot Grigio and Chianti Classico circuit, this is exactly where you should be eating dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Chicago · Chicago · Steakhouse
STK Chicago is here to sell you a night out, and the wine list is just part of the set dressing. If you care about what's in your glass, eat here for the steak and order water.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · French Brasserie
La Grande Boucherie Chicago is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants a French-focused list executed with genuine effort and the occasional smart value. The markups aren't shy, but the BTG program and specials take some of the sting out — go in with a plan and you'll drink well.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
· Chicago · Steakhouse
This is not the wine list you expect to find at The Palm, and that's exactly why it earns attention. Six bottles, zero filler, genuinely fair pricing — if someone's tending this list, they deserve a raise.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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