Charlotte's neighborhood standby needs a wine upgrade
Charlotte · Charlotte · American · Visit Website ↗
Updated March 2026
Reviewed March 3, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The Asbury's wine list reads like it was assembled from a distributor's safe-bet catalog and hasn't been touched since. It's the kind of list where you know what you're getting before you even open it—Caymus, Kim Crawford, maybe a Meiomi if we're lucky.
The selection leans heavily on commercial crowd-pleasers without much personality or regional exploration. California dominates the reds with predictable Napa Cabs and Sonoma Pinots, while whites stick to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and entry-level Italian Pinot Grigio. There's minimal Old World presence beyond a token Chianti and maybe a Spanish Rioja. The list feels like it was designed to offend no one, which means it excites no one either.
By-the-glass pours appear limited to the usual suspects—likely 6-8 options that rotate annually, if at all. Expect to see standards like Decoy Cabernet, La Crema Chardonnay, and Whispering Angel rosé. The pours are restaurant-sized (5-6oz) and priced at the higher end of Charlotte's casual dining spectrum without offering anything unique to justify the cost.
2020 Château Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling — $32
If they've got this on the list, it's your safest bet—off-dry enough to handle spice, acid to cut through richness, and priced reasonably for once
2019 Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Reserve
Most people skip French reds they can't pronounce, but this Grenache-Syrah blend delivers serious value and actually pairs with food instead of fighting it
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet
Marked up to $120+ for a $50 retail bottle that tastes like jammy oak syrup—order a cocktail instead
2021 Trimbach Pinot Blanc Alsace + Roasted Chicken
If they're doing any kind of simple roasted protein, this bright, clean Alsatian white has the weight to match without overwhelming the dish
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Asbury is fine if you're here for the food and atmosphere, but the wine program feels like an afterthought. Stick to beer or cocktails unless you spot something unexpected.
Ballantyne · Charlotte · American, Californian
Juniper Grill is a reliable, California-focused wine list that earns its Wine Spectator nod — just don't come looking for adventure. If you want a great Napa Cab with your short ribs in a comfortable room, this is your spot.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Charlotte · Charlotte · American
Caroline's isn't trying to be a wine destination — it's an oyster bar with California ambitions and prices that don't punish you for ordering well. Wednesday half-price wine night alone is worth putting in your rotation.
Plays It Safe
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Plaza Midwood · Charlotte · Southern American, Steakhouse
Supperland is a genuinely wild place to drink wine — stained glass overhead, a cast iron skillet on the table, and a bottle of Tignanello on the list. The markups aren't generous and no sommelier is guiding you, but if you know what you're looking for, this Wine Spectator-recognized list delivers for a Southern steakhouse in a church.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
South End · Charlotte · Italian, Steakhouse
Dean's is a dependable upscale steakhouse wine list that does exactly what it promises — California and Italy, done well, at prices that sting a little but don't embarrass anyone. Send a friend here if they want a proper Barolo with their ribeye; skip it if they're hunting for value or adventure.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
SouthPark · Charlotte · American, Seasonal
Reid's is doing real work on this wine list — the Italian depth alone justifies the drive across Charlotte. The markup can sting and there's no dedicated sommelier to guide you through it, but the bones here are excellent and the Wine Spectator recognition is well earned.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
SouthPark · Charlotte · American, Farm to Table
Peppervine earns its Wine Spectator hardware the honest way: a deep, well-curated list at prices that don't make you wince, anchored by a Tuesday half-price program that should be illegal. Send your friends here — just make sure they skip the Rombauer.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Golden Triangle Area · Denton · American
Cheddar's wine program exists to check a box, not to serve you well. Order a cocktail or a beer — they've actually put thought into those — and save the wine for a restaurant that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Golden Triangle Area · Denton · American
BJ's Denton is a beer hall that happens to stock wine, and the list makes that priority crystal clear. If you must drink wine here, come on a Tuesday — Half Off Wine Tuesday is the one thing this program does that actually earns a tip of the glass.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Southridge / Town Center Trail · Denton · American
Houlihan's Denton is not a wine destination, and it has no interest in being one. The one genuine reason to order wine here is Tuesday — half-price bottles all day is a deal worth setting a calendar reminder for, especially if you're grabbing the Portillo or the Bloodroot.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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