Italy in a Glass, Bethlehem on the Bill
Downtown Bethlehem · Bethlehem · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 14, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Tre Scalini Ristorante’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You open the list and the message is clear: this is an Italian restaurant that takes its Italian wine seriously. The focus is tight — Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto — and that's not a criticism, that's a commitment. It reads like someone actually thought about it, not just grabbed a distributor sheet and called it a day.
The list runs 80 to 150 labels deep and doesn't wander far from the boot, which is exactly right for a room serving Bucatini Amatriciana and handmade pasta. You'll find Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino anchoring the cellar end, with Amarone della Valpolicella holding it down for the Veneto faithful. Super Tuscans show up for the crowd that wants something bold without committing to a proper Nebbiolo. The gaps are predictable — don't come here looking for Champagne or anything from the Southern Hemisphere — but within the Italian lane, the depth is real.
Ten to twenty options by the glass is a healthy pour program for a neighborhood Italian spot. Prices land between $11 and $18 a glass, which is honest money for what's on offer. The rotation doesn't appear to change much seasonally, but if the bottles are good, consistency isn't the worst thing.
Amarone della Valpolicella — $18
At the top of the glass price range, Amarone by the glass is a legitimately good deal — this wine retails for serious money and showing up in a pour program at all is a minor miracle. Order it.
Brunello di Montalcino
Most tables at an Italian restaurant this size drift toward the Super Tuscans and never look up. Brunello is the move — structured, age-worthy Sangiovese that most people only encounter at wine-focused restaurants. Don't sleep on it.
Super Tuscans
They're fine, they're always fine, but Super Tuscans at restaurants like this tend to be the safe middle-of-the-road pour that exists to satisfy people who've heard of Sassicaia but won't spend for it. With Barolo and Brunello on the same list, there's no reason to settle.
Barolo + Bucatini Amatriciana
The guanciale-driven richness and tomato acidity in the Amatriciana need something with backbone and tannin to cut through — Barolo's grip and its dried cherry depth do exactly that without steamrolling the dish.
The Bottom Line
Tre Scalini isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the Italian-focused list is coherent, fairly priced, and punches above its Bethlehem zip code. If you're eating pasta this good, you owe it to the meal to drink something Italian alongside it.
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Italian Cafe is a reliable neighborhood option for a low-key dinner with wine that won't embarrass itself alongside the food. The wine program isn't the reason to come here — the lakeside atmosphere and comfort Italian cooking are — but it should hold its own for a casual weeknight out. If you're a serious wine drinker, temper expectations; if you just want something decent in the glass with your lobster ravioli, you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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