California classics done right, in Alaska
Anchorage · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Southside Bistro’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Southside Bistro reads like a greatest-hits album of California — comfortable, familiar, and well-curated for a neighborhood bistro in Anchorage that's been holding a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1997. This is not a list trying to impress wine nerds; it's a list trying to make sure the table next to you is happy with their Cabernet. And honestly? It mostly succeeds.
With 100 to 150 bottles and a laser focus on California, the list leans hard into the recognizable: Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Duckhorn, Rombauer, Cakebread. These are brands your aunt knows, your boss orders, and your date appreciates. There's no real attempt to venture into Burgundy, the Rhône, or even Oregon's Willamette Valley — if you're hunting for a grower Champagne or a cheeky Jura Poulsard, keep walking. But what they do, they do consistently, and for a city where serious wine access can be genuinely limited by geography, landing reliable California names at reasonable prices is no small thing.
Twelve to eighteen by-the-glass options is a solid spread for this format and market, and the $10–$18 range is fair given Anchorage's remote logistics. Expect the usual suspects — a Chardonnay, a Cab, maybe a Merlot — poured without much ceremony but without embarrassing temperatures or oxidized leftovers either.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $60
Jordan punches well above its price tier in California Cab — elegant, not overblown, and often more fairly priced on restaurant lists than the hype names. In Anchorage, where markups on anything decent can quietly escalate, finding Jordan at a reasonable bottle price makes it the table's best friend.
Duckhorn Merlot
Merlot gets ignored at most tables, especially when Caymus and Silver Oak are on the same list. But Duckhorn built its name on this grape, and their Napa Merlot is genuinely serious — plush, structured, and worth ordering before your tablemates convince you to go Cab again.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, marked up everywhere, and has been coasting on its reputation for a while now. At most restaurants it's priced at a premium precisely because people will pay it without asking questions. At Southside Bistro you can almost certainly do better for less — or at least equal — with Jordan or Silver Oak.
Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay + Weathervane Scallops
Cakebread's Chardonnay is rich enough to stand up to buttery, seared scallops but has enough acidity to keep things from going heavy. It's the kind of pairing that feels obvious once you're eating it, which is exactly how a good bistro pairing should feel.
The Bottom Line
Southside Bistro isn't going to change how you think about wine, but in Anchorage it's a genuinely dependable spot where the California list is well-maintained, fairly priced, and matched to a kitchen that gives those bottles something worthwhile to work with. Send your friends here and tell them to skip the Caymus.
Girdwood · Anchorage · Cajun and Steakhouse with Alaska Seafood
Double Musky Inn's official notice lists a planned reopening on December 10, 2026. Do not treat the former wine choices on this page as current availability while the restaurant is temporarily closed. Check the date and current wine list directly before making plans.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Anchorage · Fine Dining
A wine-bar list with real range: 29 pours with glass and bottle prices, and 73 bottles from $31 to $1,200. Start with the Dr. Loosen Red Slate Riesling at $38 or the Chateau Recougne Bordeaux Superieur at $40, and step up to the Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir at $84 (or the 375 mL half at $46) if you want something to build the dinner around. Confirm prices, since neither list shows a date. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown · Anchorage · Craft Brewery & Wood-Fired Cuisine
A brewhouse with a real two-column wine list: 40 wines, 18 by the glass at $9.95 to $14.95, and bottles up to $155.95. Start with the $9.95 Mionetto Prosecco or the $11.95 Rainstorm Pinot Gris by the glass, or order the $65.95 Hugel with the halibut, and confirm prices because the dinner menu carrying the list is printed June 11 - 24. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Anchorage · Anchorage · American
A very large list with real range: 18 glass pours and bottles from $41 to $13,000. Order the $51 Kermit Lynch 'Terra Viva' or the $66 Marcel Lapierre Morgon if you want a red that won't wreck the check, and confirm availability because the wine page is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Midtown / Spenard · Anchorage · Mexican / Pub / Pizza
A compact nine-wine list that mixes Washington, Chile and Argentina with a Portuguese Vinho Verde and a Spanish Cava. Try the Vidigal Vinho Verde or the Cordorniu Cava before defaulting to the Chardonnay, and confirm what the unlabeled prices mean, since the page carries no date. This unrated guide covers the posted Grill bar menu, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown · Anchorage · Japanese, Fusion
Whisky & Ramen's wine list is short but practical for a ramen bar, with 13 glass pours and bottles from $36 to $680. Order the $58 Los Chuchaquis pét-nat with The Hook, or go the glass route with the $14 Riesling. Confirm current availability and prices before you go; this unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown Roswell · Roswell · American
Canton St. Social is a solid neighborhood restaurant in historic downtown Roswell, and the wine program appears to be built for exactly that — supporting a good night out without overcomplicating things. We don't have enough sourced wine data to tell you what to order, which means your best move is to ask your server what's pouring well that night and go from there. Worth a visit for the food and atmosphere; the wine list is a work in progress as far as our research goes.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Worcester · American
The Boynton is a great neighborhood spot for a cold beer, a burger, and a game — and that's exactly what it should be. The wine program is along for the ride, not driving the car. If wine matters to you tonight, this isn't your destination; if you're here for the food and the vibe, order a beer and enjoy it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Atlanta · Atlanta · American
Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta's wine list is a Lazy List by every measure — grocery store brands, steep markups, no specials, and a rotating staff with little incentive to know what's in the glass. If you're here for the memorabilia and the atmosphere, lean into a cocktail or a beer. If wine is non-negotiable, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling or Columbia Crest Cab will get you through the night without regret.
Grocery Store
Steep
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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