Oysters Done Right, Wine List Mostly Keeps Up
Downtown · Madison · Seafood and Steak · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 10, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Tempest reads like a confident restaurant that knows its lane — seafood-forward, crowd-pleasing, with enough European intrigue to keep things interesting. It's not trying to be a wine bar, and that's fine. What you see is what you get: a curated but approachable list designed to sell alongside oysters and steak without scaring anyone off.
The list clocks in around 30-50 bottles with a reasonable spread across France, California, Spain, Germany, Chile, and Argentina. The French showing is the most interesting — Michael Vattan's Sancerre, Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux Blanc, and Pierre Amadieu Côtes du Rhône give the list some actual character. On the red side, expect Malbec and Cab alongside lighter options like Le Grand Pinot Noir from Limoux. The California section leans heavily on brand-name recognition — Ghost Pines and Coppola are fine, but they're not doing anyone any favors in a lineup that already has better options. A deeper dive into West Coast Pinot or Pacific Northwest whites would round this out nicely.
Fourteen by-the-glass options is a solid count for a restaurant this size, spanning $8.50 to $17 and covering bubbles, whites, rosé, and reds. The range is thoughtful enough to match most moods — you can start with Cava, pivot to Sancerre, and land on a Rhône red without leaving the list. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority though; what's on the menu feels like it's been there a while.
Philipp Horn Riesling Kabinett 2021, Rheinhessen — $10
Off-dry Rheinhessen Riesling at a price that doesn't punish you for ordering it — this is the move with a half-dozen oysters. Classic petrol-and-peach character at a price point that's genuinely fair for what you're getting.
Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux Blanc 2021
Most people walk right past Bordeaux Blanc for something more familiar, but this Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend is exactly what an oyster bar should be pouring. Structured, mineral, a little waxy — it earns its place on this list and most diners never order it.
Francis Ford Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Paso Robles
The Coppola name does a lot of heavy lifting here that the wine itself doesn't justify. At a seafood-forward spot, it's an awkward fit, and you're paying for brand recognition more than what's in the glass. The Les Cailloux Bordeaux or even the Côtes du Rhône will treat you better.
Michael Vattan Sancerre 'O-P' 2022 + Fresh oysters on the half shell
Loire Sauvignon Blanc and raw oysters is one of those combinations that exists for a reason — the briny salinity of the oysters locks into the wine's crisp minerality like they were designed together. This is the pairing to order at Tempest, full stop.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Tempest is a reliable downtown option for wine with your oysters — the list has genuine highlights and the glass count is respectable, but the markups are steep and the program isn't pushing itself. Go for the Sancerre, go for the Riesling, and don't overthink it.
South West Side / Arbor Gate · Madison · Contemporary American
Bonfyre is a reliable neighborhood grill that happens to have Wine Down Wednesday, and that promotion does more for this wine program than anything on the list itself. Come on a Wednesday, order the Riesling or the Malbec with your steak, and you'll leave happy — just don't expect the list to dazzle you on a Tuesday.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown / Capitol Square · Madison · Sushi / Japanese
Red Sushi isn't a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be — but the fortified and dessert options give it more credibility than most comparable spots downtown. Come for the sushi, stay for the Madeira.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Far West Side / Greenway Station · Madison · Casual Italian
Biaggi's is a chain, the markups are steep, and nobody on staff is going to geek out over Nebbiolo with you — but the Wine Wednesday promotion (50% off bottles $75 and under) genuinely changes the math. Come on a Wednesday, order a bottle of Santa Margherita or a Chianti Classico at half price, and you'll have a perfectly solid dinner without any regrets.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
West Side / Junction Road · Madison · Wine Bar & Bistro
Eno Vino West is the dependable neighborhood wine bar Madison's west side needs — not flashy, not adventurous, but genuinely well-stocked and fairly priced. Show up on a Monday or Tuesday, grab a half-price bottle, and stop overthinking it.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Near West Side / Monroe Street · Madison · Californian-style, veggie-forward American
Everly's list is more thoughtful than most neighborhood spots its size, with a few genuinely exciting bottles mixed in with the safe pours. We'd send a friend here for wine, but we'd tell them to go in with eyes open on the markup — you're paying a premium for the atmosphere as much as what's in the glass.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Capitol Square · Madison · Upscale New American / Farm-to-table
L'Etoile is the best wine list in Madison and it's not particularly close — a focused, well-stored cellar with staff who can actually navigate it. The markup stings on the flagship bottles, but the overall program earns the price of admission.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · Seafood and Steak
McCormick & Schmick's isn't a wine destination, but it's not a wine disaster either — fair prices on recognizable pours make it easy to drink well without thinking too hard. Send a friend here if they want good seafood with a decent glass of wine; send a wine geek somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lake Mary · Orlando · Seafood and Steak
FishBones delivers a competent, sommelier-backed program that plays the hits without taking risks. The markup stings on celebrity bottles, but the staff knows their stuff and the by-the-glass selection keeps things accessible. Your reliable Lake Mary option when you want wine with dinner, not a wine destination.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.