Cocktail bar wine list that earns its keep
Center Square · Albany · Cocktail Bar
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 18, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Roosevelt’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walk into The Roosevelt and it's clear cocktails are the main event — but whoever put this wine list together wasn't just phoning it in. It's tight at 20-something bottles, but the selections span New Zealand, Burgundy, Italy, and California without feeling random or lazy.
For a cocktail bar in Center Square, this list punches above its weight class. You've got Grove Mill repping New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Joseph Drouhin anchoring the French side with Burgundy credibility, and L'Umami bringing some personality to the Pinot Noir slot. Santa Marina handles the Italian Pinot Grigio duties competently, and The Kinker rounds out California Cab territory. It's not a deep cellar, but each pick feels intentional rather than pulled from a distributor's default catalog.
Five by-the-glass options at $10–$14 is a reasonable spread for a neighborhood bar, and the price ceiling is refreshingly sane by Albany standards. The range covers the obvious bases — white, red, and presumably a rosé or two — though rotation doesn't appear to be a priority here.
Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc — $12
Grove Mill is a legit Marlborough producer that often gets lost in the sea of Cloudy Bay hype. At bar prices, this is the kind of crisp, no-nonsense pour that makes a Tuesday night feel justified.
L'Umami Pinot Noir
Most people at a cocktail bar default to Cab or skip wine entirely — which means L'Umami's Pinot Noir sits quietly on the list waiting for someone to notice. It's an interesting label worth asking about.
The Kinker Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cab at a cocktail bar is usually the path of least resistance for the list builder, not the drinker. Without more context on this producer, it's the safe play that rarely rewards — order the cocktail instead.
Joseph Drouhin Chardonnay + Bar snacks or charcuterie
Drouhin's Burgundy Chardonnay has enough structure and restraint to hold up against salty, fatty bar fare without turning the whole thing into a butter bomb. It's the grown-up move at a place that otherwise wants you drinking rye.
The Bottom Line
The Roosevelt isn't trying to be a wine bar, and it's better for knowing that. The list is short, fair, and stocked with names worth ordering — which is more than most cocktail spots in Albany can claim.
· Albany · Italian, Steakhouse, Seafood
Choose by budget, check bottle size, and confirm the current menu. We haven't independently assessed service, glassware or storage.
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse
Order by the glass and explore: the posted menu gives you Riesling, Chablis, Cahors and Rioja without a bottle commitment. Pentimento at $16 is our price-conscious red starting point. Check the current list before ordering; the complete cellar, service and storage haven't been independently verified.
West Albany · Albany · Italian
Grappa ’72 gives you several ways into Italian wine without committing to a prestige bottle. Our move is Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva at $47/bottle for the table, or Bigi Orvietto at $9/glass if you want your own white. Confirm the current vintage and price when ordering.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown/Clinton Square · Albany · Modern Mexican / Latin-inspired
Ama Cocina isn't a destination wine bar, but it's a Wild Card worth respecting — a food-forward Latin spot that actually thought about its wine list instead of phoning it in. Come for the tacos, order the Albariño, and be pleasantly surprised.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Warehouse District/Riverfront · Albany · Wine Bar / American Small Plates
The Shaker & Vine is Albany's best argument for the self-pour wine bar format — the markup is shockingly fair, the riverside setting earns its keep, and the list is approachable without being embarrassing. Don't come hunting for rare producers, but do come for a relaxed pour with a view.
Solid Range
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Colonie · Albany · Classic Italian-American
Lombardo's wine list is the culinary equivalent of a comfortable booth — nothing revelatory, but nothing offensive, and it gets the job done alongside a plate of baked ziti. Send a friend here for the food and tell them to order the Barolo if they want to feel like they tried.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Duluth · Cocktail Bar
This is a cocktail bar that slipped a legitimately interesting nine-bottle wine list into the corner without making a big deal about it — and we respect the quiet confidence. Don't come here for a deep cellar experience, but do come here knowing you have real options beyond the well liquor.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Aurora · Cocktail Bar
Sorry Gorgeous isn't a wine destination, but it's a cocktail bar that actually tried — and that counts for something. Come for the rooftop, order the Pinot Blanc or the orange wine, and leave the Dom on the menu for someone else's bachelorette party.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / State Street · Ithaca · Cocktail Bar
The Watershed is a cocktail bar that accidentally has a decent wine list, and we mean that as a compliment. If you're in Ithaca and want a low-key glass of something thoughtfully chosen without paying downtown Manhattan prices, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
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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