Best Wine Lists in Missouri

Fogo de Chão

· Kansas City · Brazilian Steakhouse

The Reliable

Fogo de Chão Kansas City isn't a wine destination, but it's not a wine disappointment either. Prices are fair, the South American focus makes thematic sense, and the VIK and Lapostolle picks show there's a ceiling here above the house pour. Come for the beef, drink the Eulila, leave happy.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar – Springfield

· Springfield · Seafood / Oyster Bar

The Wild Card

Jax Fish House Springfield is operating a legitimately interesting wine program for a mid-size seafood spot in the middle of Missouri. The markups are fair, the picks are specific and smart, and the full list being available by the glass means you can graze and explore without committing. If you show up expecting a lazy regional chain wine list, this one will catch you off guard.

A steakhouse list with a 22-pour glass section at $12 to $20 and a Bottle List that runs from 46 to 348. Start with the Emilio Moro Tempranillo at $12 or the Amigoni Urban Drover at $14, and put a glass of the Daou Cabernet next to the Kansas City Strip. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups, so confirm what is pouring.

A tapas-bar drinks sheet with glass/bottle pairs starting at 9/36 and a separate sherry-by-the-glass list. Start with the Reino de la Vina Tempranillo Reserva at 12/48 alongside the Paella Valenciana, or the Venta Morales Tempranillo at 10/40, and confirm prices because the sheet is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.

A French-led list with 25 two-price wines up front and a long run of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhône bottles behind them. Start with the Chinon Le Garenne at 42 or the Cornas 'Granit 60' at 88, ask which number is the glass price, and confirm prices, since the page is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.

A long, bin-numbered list that mixes dry wines, sweet wines and flavored sparklers on one page, with a Cakebread Cellars wine as its priciest bottle. Start with the $12.00 Pinot Noir or the $12.75 Winemaker's Barrel Reserve, and confirm prices at the Plaza location before you go. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.

A glass list that fits an Italian menu: 24 wines from $8 to $13, with Barolo, Amarone and Brunello available by the bottle. Start with the $8 Capasoldo Pinot Grigio, or the $13 Banfi Chianti Riserva if you are ordering the Veal Parmigiana, and confirm current prices. This unrated guide covers the posted drinks list, not service, storage or markups.

A 142-bottle list with orange wines, pét-nats, Jura and Georgian bottles, glasses from $10 to $15 and most bottles under $100. Start with the $10 Cava or order the $48 Bichot Aligoté with the escargot, and confirm availability since the menus change daily. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.

A broad list set out by variety, with prices posted only for Happy Hour wine. Order the Chateau St. Michelle Riesling with the Macadamia Nut Chicken, or come at Happy Hour for the $9 Sea Sun by Caymus Pinot Noir or Bonanza Cabernet and ask what the pour is. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.

A glass-first Italian list: 30 wines priced from $11 to $17.50 a glass, with bottles from $44 to $70. Order the $12 Pala Vermentino, or the $15 Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico with a pizza, and ask for the $10 Happy Hour Greco di Tufo if you sit in the bar on a weekday between 3 and 6 pm. This unrated guide covers the posted wine menu, not service, storage or markups, and the menu is undated, so confirm prices.

Rye Plaza's posted list is practical: most 6 oz glass pours are $14 to $16, and the bottle list runs from a $40 Chianti to $440 Krug. Order the Whole Cluster Pinot Noir by the glass with the fried chicken, or open a bottle of the $40 Badia di Morrona Chianti and finish with the $25 Vin Santo. Vintages are subject to change, so confirm current availability and prices; this unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.

Start with the Clean Slate Riesling at $11 for a 6oz pour, or step up to the Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo at $53 if you want a bottle with some southern Italian character. Pick your size on the glass list, since 6oz, 8oz and bottle prices are all posted. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.