Alfio's Buon Cibo
Cincinnati's Italian Wine Anchor, No Passport Required
Hyde Park · Cincinnati · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Alfio's Buon Cibo lands with some weight — 200-plus bottles, Italy front and center, and a staff of three named sommeliers ready to walk you through it. This is not a list that got assembled by someone calling the broadline distributor and saying 'send whatever.' Someone here cares, and it shows immediately.
Selection Deep Dive
Italy is the backbone and the beating heart here — Barolo from Giacomo Conterno and Bruno Giacosa, Brunello from Biondi-Santi and Banfi, Amarone from Allegrini and Bertani, and the Super Tuscan hits like Sassicaia and Tignanello for when you want to feel fancy. The regional spread goes well beyond the greatest hits, which is what earns the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence they've held since 2025. California gets a seat at the table too — Stag's Leap and Jordan Cab fill the bill for guests who want something familiar — but this list is clearly Italian at its soul. The one gap worth noting: white wine depth could match the reds.
By the Glass
Twenty to thirty-five options by the glass is a genuinely strong pour program, especially for a neighborhood Italian spot. Expect rotating Pinot Grigio from Santa Margherita or Livio Felluga on the lighter end, with bolder Italian reds filling out the slate. If a sommelier is on the floor, ask what's recently been opened — they'll steer you toward something interesting.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $65
Jordan is a crowd-pleaser that actually delivers — polished, consistent, and usually marked up responsibly at Italian spots. For a table that wants something recognizable and reliably good, this is the move without burning through your dinner budget.
Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio
Most people hear Pinot Grigio and think Santa Margherita on autopilot. Livio Felluga is the grown-up version — textured, mineral, with actual personality. It's priced below where it should be relative to what's in the glass.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Look, it's fine. But you're paying restaurant markup on a bottle you can grab at any grocery store, and Livio Felluga is sitting right there on the same list for a better drinking experience. No shame in moving on.
Amarone della Valpolicella (Allegrini) + Osso buco
Allegrini's Amarone brings dried fruit intensity and serious structure — exactly what you want next to the deep, braised richness of osso buco. The wine's weight matches the dish without bullying it, and the slight bitterness on the finish cuts through the marrow.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Alfio's is the rare neighborhood Italian that takes its wine program as seriously as its pasta, backed by a knowledgeable floor team that can actually help you spend your money wisely. Send your friends here — and tell them to let the sommelier pick.
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