Neighborhood Pub Wine That Actually Makes Sense
Madison Park · Seattle · Pub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The White Swan doesn't try to be something it isn't — and that's genuinely refreshing. It's a pub list built for pub people: compact, approachable, and priced like someone actually thought about it. You're not going to find a verticals section or a grower Champagne, but you're also not getting gouged on a Tuesday night burger run.
The list leans French with a smattering of Pacific Northwest representation — Lorelle Pinot Grigio from Washington and Resplendent Chardonnay from Oregon show some local awareness. The bubbles section is notably stacked for a neighborhood pub, featuring Gerard Bertrand Brut, Gerard Bertrand Brut Rosé, Nicolas Feuillatte, and Chandon. Beyond the sparklers, depth is limited, but what's here fits the room. Don't come looking for a Burgundy deep-dive; do come knowing your glass won't embarrass you.
At least five pours in the $10–$14 range, which is honestly solid for a Madison Park pub in 2024. The Gerard Bertrand options by the glass are standouts — both hovering around $14 with markups that barely register as markups. Rotation doesn't seem aggressive, but the baseline selections do the job.
Resplendent Chardonnay OR NV — $14
This one is practically at retail — they're charging $14 for a bottle that runs $15 at your local shop. By the glass at a pub? That's a deal you take without overthinking it.
Gerard Bertrand Brut Rosé FR NV
Most people walk into a pub and order a pint. Order this instead. It's a solid French bubbly rosé at $14 a glass with a retail of $22 — the markup is almost nothing, and it cuts right through a plate of fish and chips.
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut FR NV
At $65 a bottle against a $35 retail price, this is the one spot where The White Swan loses the plot. Nicolas Feuillatte is perfectly decent supermarket Champagne — charging nearly double retail for it feels opportunistic when everything else on this list is so reasonably priced.
Gerard Bertrand Brut Rosé FR NV + Fish and Chips
The acidity and bubble in the Brut Rosé scrub the batter grease clean between bites. It's the kind of pairing that doesn't need explanation — it just works, and you'll feel clever for ordering it.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The White Swan isn't a wine destination, but it's a pub that respects wine enough to price it fairly and stock something better than the usual suspects. If you're in Madison Park and want a decent glass with your burger without getting robbed, this is your spot.
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Magnolia · Seattle · Italian
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Bateau is the rare steakhouse where the wine list earns as much attention as what's on the butcher board. Markups keep it from being a total steal, but the depth, the staff, and the Pacific Northwest-first perspective make this one worth the splurge.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Tavolàta's wine list is exactly what a good Italian pasta spot should have — focused, fairly priced, and honest about what it is. If you're looking for a list to geek out over, keep walking; if you're looking for something that drinks well with great pasta, pull up a chair.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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