Corporate Steakhouse Wine, By the Book
Coral Ridge · Fort Lauderdale · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Ruth's Chris Steak House’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Ruth's Chris reads exactly like you'd expect from a national steakhouse chain: heavy on Napa Cabs, a few token Burgundies at trophy prices, and safe pours designed not to offend anyone with an expense account. It's a list built for closing deals, not discovering anything new.
The California section dominates with predictable players like Caymus, Jordan, and Silver Oak at markups that sting. You'll find a respectable showing of big Napa Cabernets in the $80-150 range, some Argentina Malbecs for the value-seekers, and a Bordeaux section that leans heavily on recognizable châteaux at 3-4x retail. The list plays it safe across the board—no natural wines, no orange experiments, nothing that would make a traditionalist uncomfortable. It's wine for people who order wine because they're supposed to, not because they're curious.
The by-the-glass program sticks to the script with about 8-12 selections spanning the usual suspects: a California Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a few Cabs at different price points. They rotate occasionally but don't push boundaries—think Kendall-Jackson, not skin-contact Ribolla Gialla. The pours are generous and the service is efficient, which counts for something when you just want a solid glass with your ribeye.
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon — $48
Reliable Napa-adjacent Cab that drinks clean with your steak and won't make you wince at the markup
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino
Most people overlook the Argentina section entirely, but this is serious juice that can hang with the Porterhouse for less money
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Marked up to $120+ for a wine you can find at Total Wine for $85—the steakhouse tax at its worst
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz + Bone-in Ribeye
The Aussie blend has the structure to match the char and fat, with enough fruit intensity to not get buried by Ruth's butter-sizzle style
The Bottom Line
Ruth's Chris delivers exactly what corporate steakhouse wine programs deliver: safe selections, steep markups, and zero surprises. You won't drink badly here, but you won't discover anything either.
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Mediterranean
The Terrace Grill isn't where you go to chase down rare bottles or get your mind blown by an unexpected producer — it's where you go to drink well without overthinking it. For waterfront Mediterranean dining in Fort Lauderdale, that's a perfectly respectable offer.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian, Floridian
La Fuga earns its Wine Spectator hardware with a focused Italian-California list that does right by the food — just be prepared for steep markups on the prestige bottles. Send a friend here when they want serious Italian wine with their pasta and a view.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian
Anthony's Runway 84 is a Fort Lauderdale institution that knows its audience and delivers exactly what it promises: big Napa names, old-school Italian comfort, and no surprises. Wine-forward diners may find the list a little safe, but the Italian highlights and the fresh Wine Spectator Award of Excellence signal that someone here is paying attention — even if the list isn't ready to take risks.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Ft. Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · Steak House
Steak 954 is a legitimately strong wine program for a beach hotel steakhouse — deep on the producers that matter, proper storage, and a by-the-glass count that punches above its weight. Markups are what they are at this address, but if you pick smart, this is a great place to drink wine with a serious piece of beef.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · French, Japanese
MAASS is the real thing — a sommelier-driven program with genuine depth, proper glassware, and staff that actually knows what's in the cellar. Markups run steep at the top end, but this is a Best of Award of Excellence list for a reason, and it earns every bit of the credential.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · American, Farm to Table
Daniel's is a legitimate Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence earner — the list is deep, the heavy hitters are all here, and the room is built for serious wine drinking. The markups sting and there's no sommelier pushing you toward discovery, but if you know what you're looking for, this is one of Fort Lauderdale's best bottles-over-dinner experiences.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
Il Premio is a steakhouse that took its wine list seriously enough to skip the obvious plays, and the result is one of the more interesting Italian-focused lists in Atlanta right now. It's compact, priced fairly across the board, and built for exploration — whether you're going glass by glass through the Italian regions or just need a solid bottle of Chianti Classico at $72 to make a steak dinner feel right. We'd send a friend here specifically for the wine.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Healdsburg · Steakhouse
Stark's is the rare steakhouse that treats wine as something other than an afterthought or a cash grab. The list is compact but genuinely considered, markups are fair across the board, and the full bottle-to-glass availability is a policy every restaurant should copy. If you're eating in Healdsburg and want to drink well without overpaying, this is a legitimate stop.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse
Order by the glass and explore: the posted menu gives you Riesling, Chablis, Cahors and Rioja without a bottle commitment. Pentimento at $16 is our price-conscious red starting point. Check the current list before ordering; the complete cellar, service and storage haven't been independently verified.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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