Chilled Reds and Kalbi in South Austin
Bouldin Creek · Austin · Korean-American wine bar
Reviewed March 4, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Underdog’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
A Korean wine bar in South Austin sounds like someone's fever dream, but Underdog pulls it off with a list that's as cheerful and thoughtful as the rescue-pup-themed space. The focus is European — Southwest France, Roussillon, Italy — with a smart emphasis on chilled reds and orange wines that actually make sense with kalbi and mandu.
The list leans heavily into grenaches and cinsaults from Southwest France, whites from Roussillon, and a deep Italian selection spanning Chianti to Brunello. There's a clear philosophy here: wines with structure and freshness that won't get steamrolled by gochugaru and fermented kimchi. The orange wine selection shows restraint — they're not just checking a box — and the chilled red program is legitimately exciting for a city that still thinks room temp means 78 degrees. Comando G and Stella di Campalto appearances signal someone's shopping beyond the distributor sampler pack.
We don't have the full glass list, but the sommelier-driven program and overall list quality suggest thoughtful pours that rotate seasonally. The emphasis on chilled reds and lighter-bodied wines means the BTG program likely mirrors the bottle list's philosophy — approachable, food-friendly, and built for Texas heat.
Comando G Camino del Pilar — Unknown
Spanish Garnacha from high-altitude vines in Gredos — bright, mineral, and built for grilled pork collar and scallion pancakes
Chateau Maris light skin contact orange
Most people skip orange wines with Korean food, but this Languedoc producer's gentle skin contact adds texture without overwhelming the delicate pork mandu
Stella di Campalto Rosso di Montalcino
Likely the priciest pour on the list, and while it's a beautiful wine, the markup at a wine bar probably puts it in splurge territory when the Comando G does similar work for less
Comando G Camino del Pilar + Grilled kalbi
High-acid Spanish Garnacha cuts through the char and marinade sweetness while the wine's red fruit echoes the caramelization on the ribs
The Bottom Line
A Korean wine bar with an Italian and French list shouldn't work this well, but Underdog's commitment to chilled reds and food-friendly bottles makes it a genuine South Austin wine destination. We'd send friends here specifically for the wine, not just the mandu.
· Austin · Steakhouse
Perry's is a competent steakhouse wine program that won't embarrass you, but it won't thrill you either. The by-the-glass breadth is the real story here — 37 options gives you room to explore without committing to a bottle. Just don't come expecting adventurous picks or fair markups across the board; come expecting a list that gets the job done for a celebratory dinner without too much fuss.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Austin · Seafood Steakhouse
Truluck's Austin runs a by-the-glass program that genuinely outperforms what most standalone seafood houses manage, with producers like Markus Molitor and Drouhin-Vaudon sitting next to the expected California lineup. Pricing is fair without being flashy. If you're eating seafood and want to drink well without committing to a bottle, this list has you covered — just work through the whites and bubbles and don't let the Napa trophy bottles at the top drain your wallet.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Austin · Upscale American Seafood and Steakhouse
Eddie V's is a reliable wine destination in the sense that a well-pressed suit is reliable — it won't let you down, but it won't make anyone's year-end list either. If you're on a date, celebrating something, or just need a wine program that won't embarrass you in front of a client, this is a safe and comfortable call. Just don't expect to find anything that makes you pull out your phone to take a note.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Austin · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Austin is not a destination wine list, but it's a legitimately fair one — South American focus, honest prices, and a couple of genuine steals hiding in plain sight. If you're here for the espeto corrido experience, grab a VIK blend at $30 and don't overthink it.
Plays It Safe
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Austin · Steakhouse
ALC Steaks plays it safe and plays it competently — this is a wine list that serves the room without challenging it. If you know what you're looking for, there are smart picks buried in here; if you don't, you'll still drink fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Austin · Austin · American, Italian
Sammie's is a genuinely fun room with a wine list that's earned its Wine Spectator hardware — the Italian depth is real, the sommelier knows her stuff, and Monday half-price bottles might be the best deal in Austin. Just go in knowing the markups lean steep, and let Jenny point you toward the plays that aren't on the tourist track.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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