Four Hundred Labels Deep, Old World Soul
Fort Lauderdale · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 1, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Trattoria Romana’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Four hundred-plus labels at a Boca Raton red-sauce institution is not what most people expect when they walk through the door. The list skews heavily Italian — Brunello, Barolo, Amarone, Super Tuscans — and it means business. This is a serious cellar wearing a casual dining shirt.
The Italian backbone here is genuinely impressive: Sassicaia and Tignanello anchor the Super Tuscan section, Brunello di Montalcino and Barolo give the list real Old World credibility, and Amarone rounds it out for those who want something rich and brooding. There's domestic coverage too, though Italy is clearly where the heart is. Gaps show up when you look for under-the-radar producers or anything from emerging regions — this list celebrates the classics, not the adventurous. It's a hits album, not a deep cut playlist, but the hits are genuinely good ones.
With somewhere in the 15-to-25-glass range, the pour options are above average for a South Florida Italian spot. We'd like to see more rotation and a clearer focus on value pours, but the breadth means you're not stuck choosing between two forgettable house wines. The by-the-glass program earns its keep even if it doesn't push any boundaries.
Amarone della Valpolicella — null
Amarone at an Italian restaurant with a serious cellar is almost always a better deal than ordering it at a modern American spot with no context for it. Here, where the kitchen actually understands big, rich Italian reds, you're getting the full experience the wine was built for — worth every dollar more than the equivalent spend on a domestic cult Cab.
Brunello di Montalcino
Most tables here gravitate toward the Super Tuscans because Sassicaia has name recognition. Brunello is the smarter order — more complexity, longer finish, and it belongs on this menu in a way that feels earned rather than trophy-ish. Most diners walk right past it.
Sassicaia
Sassicaia is a great wine, full stop. But at a restaurant operating in the $$$ tier in South Florida, the markup on a name this famous is going to hurt. You're paying for the label as much as the liquid. Spend those dollars on Brunello or Amarone and drink just as well for less ego.
Barolo + Veal Chop Romana
Barolo's firm tannins and tar-and-roses structure are built for exactly this kind of rich, savory Italian veal preparation. The wine cuts through the fat, the dish softens the wine's edges — it's the kind of match that makes you understand why these things evolved together in the same country.
The Bottom Line
Trattoria Romana is the rare South Florida Italian spot where the wine list actually matches the food's ambition. Markups run steep and there's no special programming to soften the blow, but if you're eating Veal Chop Romana, you should be drinking Barolo — and they've got it.
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Mediterranean
The Terrace Grill isn't where you go to chase down rare bottles or get your mind blown by an unexpected producer — it's where you go to drink well without overthinking it. For waterfront Mediterranean dining in Fort Lauderdale, that's a perfectly respectable offer.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian, Floridian
La Fuga earns its Wine Spectator hardware with a focused Italian-California list that does right by the food — just be prepared for steep markups on the prestige bottles. Send a friend here when they want serious Italian wine with their pasta and a view.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian
Anthony's Runway 84 is a Fort Lauderdale institution that knows its audience and delivers exactly what it promises: big Napa names, old-school Italian comfort, and no surprises. Wine-forward diners may find the list a little safe, but the Italian highlights and the fresh Wine Spectator Award of Excellence signal that someone here is paying attention — even if the list isn't ready to take risks.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Ft. Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · Steak House
Steak 954 is a legitimately strong wine program for a beach hotel steakhouse — deep on the producers that matter, proper storage, and a by-the-glass count that punches above its weight. Markups are what they are at this address, but if you pick smart, this is a great place to drink wine with a serious piece of beef.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · French, Japanese
MAASS is the real thing — a sommelier-driven program with genuine depth, proper glassware, and staff that actually knows what's in the cellar. Markups run steep at the top end, but this is a Best of Award of Excellence list for a reason, and it earns every bit of the credential.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · American, Farm to Table
Daniel's is a legitimate Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence earner — the list is deep, the heavy hitters are all here, and the room is built for serious wine drinking. The markups sting and there's no sommelier pushing you toward discovery, but if you know what you're looking for, this is one of Fort Lauderdale's best bottles-over-dinner experiences.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Decatur · Decatur · Italian
Sotto Sotto is a genuinely Italian wine list in a city that usually settles for Italian-American approximations — the Timorasso, the Lambrusco di Sorbara, the Franciacorta all signal real intent. The glass program is accessible, markups are reasonable, and the bubbles section alone justifies a visit. If you want depth across all of Italy, you'll hit the edges fast at 68 labels, but what's here is well-chosen. Send a friend who likes to drink something they've never heard of.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Decatur · Decatur · Italian
BoccaLupo is the kind of Italian wine list that makes you realize how lazy most Italian restaurant wine lists are. Fair pricing, genuine range, and a by-the-glass program that rewards exploration over habit — this is a list worth your attention. If you're the kind of person who orders Verdicchio or Furmint on a Tuesday night in Decatur, this place already knows you're coming.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Henderson · Italian
Trattoria Italia is clearly a restaurant that cares about its food and its room — the vodka rigatoni and seafood linguine have fans, and the vibe earns its date-night reputation. But the wine program is an afterthought at best, and at a price point where you'd expect at least a thoughtful Italian-focused list, four labels feels like a real missed opportunity. Order a cocktail or bring your own if corkage is an option — and check before you go.
Grocery Store
Steep
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.
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