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 →
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.
Kendall Yards · Spokane · Winery and craft distillery tasting room with small bites
Browne Family's Spokane room is a confident single-producer tasting experience done right — fair prices, knowledgeable pours, and a genuine case for why Washington State deserves your attention. Send a friend here if they think Washington wine is just an also-ran.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Downtown / Riverside · Spokane · Barbecue / American Tavern
The Blackbird is a genuinely good barbecue tavern that simply doesn't care about wine, and the steep markups on uninspired bottles make that indifference expensive. Come for the smoked meats and a cold beer — if you insist on wine, grab the Milbrandt and move on.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Fondue / Upscale Casual
The Melting Pot Spokane isn't a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — but the Washington State anchors on this list are genuinely good, and if you stick to those, you'll drink well enough for the occasion. Come for the fondue experience, order the Ste. Michelle, and save the serious wine night for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Hotel cocktail bar and lounge with small plates
1919 won't blow any minds, but for a hotel bar in downtown Spokane it earns genuine respect for keeping Washington State producers front and center. Come for the room, stay for the Beresan — just don't expect any surprises in the pricing.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Hotel Rooftop/Terrace Bar
The Grand Terrace Bar is a great place to drink wine in Spokane — just not necessarily great wine. Come for the skyline, order the Riesling, and save the serious bottle hunting for elsewhere.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Wine Bar
Barrister is a genuine Wild Card: a serious urban winery tucked into Spokane's rail district that most wine travelers blow past on their way to Walla Walla. If you're in eastern Washington and you haven't stopped here, you owe yourself a visit.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Atlanta · Mediterranean
Kitty Dare is punching well above its weight for an Atlanta restaurant wine list — fair prices, genuinely adventurous selections, and the rare willingness to pour all of it by the glass. We don't have visibility into service or food specifics, but the list alone is worth coming for. If you want a Lebanese white from 70-year-old vines for $13/glass, this is your place.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Mediterranean
Fia has the bones of a genuinely good wine program — thoughtful white selections, a few hidden gems, and a Champagne section that sets a mood — but steep markups and a list that doesn't stray far from the expected hold it back from greatness. Go for the Aligoté or the Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, skip the trophy bottles, and you'll drink well without feeling taken.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Monterey · Mediterranean
Dametra Cafe isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be one either — and that honesty is refreshing. The sparkling selection is genuinely fun, prices are fair across the board, and the few left-field picks like Chateau Musar Jeune give the list just enough personality. If you're in Monterey and want a bottle that doesn't feel like a markup shakedown, this is a safe call.
Plays It Safe
Fair
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.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
