Ruth's Chris Steak House - Cincinnati
Big List, Corporate Soul, Steep Tabs
The Banks · Cincinnati · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 26, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Ruth's Chris Cincinnati arrives the way you'd expect — thick, leather-bound, and organized with corporate precision. Over 200 labels across six-plus regions signals serious intent, even if the execution sometimes feels like it was assembled by committee. It's impressive on paper, and the white tablecloth room earns it.
Selection Deep Dive
The list sweeps from California stalwarts to Tuscany, Bordeaux, Rhône, New Zealand, and — notably — a handful of Niagara producers that most Cincinnati diners will never see coming. Gaja's Ca'Marcanda from Tuscany anchors the high end with credibility, while Caleo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Camelot Chardonnay fill out the approachable middle. The Niagara wines (Reif Estates, Konzelmann, Inniskillin) are an unexpected thread running through the list — interesting regionally, though their presence feels more inherited from a corporate template than curated for this specific market. The gaps show up in depth: you won't find much in the way of Burgundy, Spain, or anything resembling natural wine.
By the Glass
Somewhere between 12 and 20 pours by the glass, which is a respectable spread for a steakhouse format. Nautilus Estates Sauvignon Blanc and Tonino Pinot Grigio give the whites some actual personality, and the glass program covers the basics you'd want alongside a ribeye. Rotation appears minimal — this is a set-and-forget program that leans on proven crowd-pleasers rather than anything that'll surprise you.
Caleo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo — $54
In a list heavy with California juice marked up 140-170%, the Caleo Montepulciano is one of the few bottles where the price feels remotely fair for what's in the glass — dark fruit, good structure, and enough grip to hold up against a serious cut of beef.
Domaine des Billards Gamay Noir
Nobody comes to a steakhouse looking for Gamay, and that's exactly why you should order it. Lighter than the room expects, more interesting than anything from the California Cabernet wall, and honest about what it is. A smart move if you want something that actually refreshes between bites.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
At $63 a bottle, you're paying nearly 2.5x retail for a wine you can grab at any grocery store for $25. Meiomi is fine — it's fine everywhere — but it's the least interesting Pinot Noir you could order at this price point, and the markup here is genuinely hard to justify.
Gaja Ca'Marcanda Tuscany + Barbequed Shrimp
The Ca'Marcanda's Cabernet-Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend has enough richness and savory depth to stand up to the buttery, spiced heat of Ruth's famous barbequed shrimp without steamrolling it — a pairing that actually makes both things taste better.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Ruth's Chris Cincinnati does the fundamentals right — proper glassware, a knowledgeable floor staff, and a list deep enough to find something worth drinking. But the markups are steep across the board, and the program feels more like a polished corporate product than a list someone truly obsessed over. Worth coming for the steak; just go in knowing you'll pay a premium for anything interesting in the glass.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.