Cozy Euro Bistro, West Coast Bottle Shop
South Hill · Spokane · Mediterranean
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 10, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Old European’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The Old European feels like it was decorated by someone who loves Europe but built the wine list by someone who loves Costco. It's warm, candlelit, and genuinely charming — the kind of South Hill neighborhood spot you want to exist. The wine list, though, is doing less work than the ambiance.
The list leans almost entirely on Pacific Northwest and California workhorses — Chateau Ste. Michelle, La Crema, Duckhorn — names you'd recognize from any mid-range grocery store shelf. There's nothing wrong with these producers, but for a restaurant calling itself European-inspired and serving Osso Buco and Duck Confit, there's a missed opportunity to import even a handful of actual European bottles. No Italian reds, no French Burgundy, no Spanish Garnacha — the list stops at the Oregon border and calls it a day. If you came hoping to find a Barolo next to your braised veal, adjust expectations now.
Eight options by the glass in the $10–$16 range is a reasonable spread for a neighborhood bistro, and the price ceiling is fair enough. The problem is the selection doesn't rotate — what you see is what you get, and it's the same familiar Pacific Northwest lineup every time. If you're here regularly, you'll have the glass list memorized within two visits.
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir — $14
La Crema is broadly available retail around $20, so a $14 glass is actually reasonable math for a restaurant pour. It's a crowd-pleasing Pinot with enough red fruit and acidity to hold its own against the Duck Confit without embarrassing anyone.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon
Ste. Michelle's Washington Cab gets dismissed as the house wine of every steakhouse in the Pacific Northwest, but that reputation undersells it. It's genuinely structured, food-friendly, and at a restaurant with dishes like Beef Stroganoff and braised meats on the menu, it works harder than people give it credit for.
Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay
At $65 a bottle with a retail price around $35, this is an 86% markup on a wine that's widely available and not especially distinctive. Duckhorn's Chardonnay is fine, but it's not fine enough to justify what amounts to paying for the label twice over.
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir + Duck Confit
Duck Confit wants a red wine with bright acidity and red fruit — not a tannic monster that clubs the richness into submission. The La Crema Pinot has exactly the kind of cherry and dried herb notes that cut through the fat and let the duck do its thing.
The Bottom Line
The Old European is a genuinely lovely place to eat, and the wine list won't ruin your night — but it won't elevate it either. Stick to the glass pours, order the Duck Confit, and don't expect Europe to show up in your glass.
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