Jersey Shore's Tuscany Fix, Done Right
Rumson · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Undici Taverna Rustica’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Undici lands like the room itself — deliberate, old-world, and not messing around. Stone walls and terracotta tile set the stage, and the list doesn't break the spell: this is an Italian program built by people who actually care about Italian wine. A Best of Award of Excellence since 2009 isn't accidental, and one flip through confirms it.
Tuscany and Piedmont are the twin pillars here, and they're holding up something serious. On the Tuscan side, you've got the Super Tuscan holy trinity — Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Tignanello — alongside Chianti Classico Riserva from Castello di Ama for those who want finesse over flash. Piedmont is equally stacked: Barolo from both Giacomo Conterno and Bruno Giacosa puts Undici in genuinely rarefied company, and Gaja's Barbaresco makes an appearance for anyone feeling spendy. The list runs 200-350 bottles deep with a clear editorial point of view — this is Italy, full stop, and it's executed with conviction.
Sixteen to twenty-four options by the glass is a generous spread for a restaurant of this size, and the program benefits from having a named sommelier — Kevin Hoayeck — keeping things focused. Expect the glass pours to skew Italian and rotate with the kitchen's seasonal rhythm, though we'd push the staff on what's pouring fresh before defaulting to the familiar.
Chianti Classico Riserva, Castello di Ama — $75
Castello di Ama is one of the most consistent estates in Chianti Classico, and a Riserva at this price point in a restaurant setting is a relative bargain compared to the Super Tuscan markup bait sitting nearby. Drink this with the tagliatelle al ragù and thank us later.
Amarone della Valpolicella, Allegrini
Most tables at Undici are laser-focused on Tuscany and Piedmont, and the Allegrini Amarone tends to get overlooked. That's a mistake. It's a structured, serious wine from one of Valpolicella's most reliable producers — and it's exactly the kind of thing that makes a long dinner feel like an event.
Brunello di Montalcino, Banfi
Banfi makes perfectly acceptable Brunello, but it's also one of the most widely distributed labels in the category — you've seen it at every Italian chain from here to Houston. At restaurant markup, you're paying Undici prices for a wine you could grab at Total Wine. Step up to Biondi-Santi if you're going Brunello, or redirect budget to the Barolo side of the list.
Barolo, Giacomo Conterno + Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Conterno Barolo needs something with weight and char to match its tannin and tar. The Bistecca alla Fiorentina — thick, dry-aged, wood-fired — gives the wine exactly what it's asking for. This is the pairing that justifies the entire trip.
The Bottom Line
Undici is the real deal — a New Jersey restaurant running an Italian wine program that could hold its own in a Manhattan dining room. The markups sting, but the depth and expertise earn it; send your wine-loving friends here without hesitation.
· Jersey City · Italian
Porto by Antonio delivers a credible Italian-forward wine list with genuine high points — Promis, Barbaresco, Brunello — and a by-the-glass program that actually gives people choices. Markups get aggressive at the top, and the Caymus pricing is frankly embarrassing, but if you stick to the Italian core and the smart mid-range picks, you'll drink well here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Toledo · Italian
Zia's isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's trying harder than most Italian spots in Toledo — fair prices, a mostly by-the-glass program, and enough Italian producers to keep things honest. Go for the Antinori, order the Riesling to impress your date, and leave Castle Rock for the grocery run.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· McKinney · Italian
Bravo! is a competent chain wine program — wide by-the-glass selection, a few Italian producers worth noting, and prices that are steep but not insulting. You're not coming here for the wine list, but you won't regret ordering either.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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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