Gene & Georgetti
Old Chicago Muscle With Italian Wine Cred
River North · Chicago · Italian Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 13, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Gene & Georgetti feels exactly like the room: dark, confident, and unapologetically old-school. Italy dominates the front pages, and that's the right call for a place that's been feeding Chicago since 1941. This isn't a list trying to impress sommeliers — it's trying to get you a great bottle with your ribeye.
Selection Deep Dive
The Italian backbone here is serious — Gaja Barbaresco, Biondi-Santi Brunello, Antinori Tignanello, and a solid spread of Barolo from Ceretto and Marchesi di Barolo give the list real credibility. Super Tuscans and Amarone round out the bold-red theme, which makes sense given the menu. California shows up too, with Caymus and Jordan keeping the steakhouse crowd happy. The list doesn't reach into adventurous territory — no natural wine, no orange, no esoteric grapes — but it doesn't need to. It knows what it is.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs 12 to 20 options, which is a reasonable spread for a room that leans heavily toward bottles. Expect the pours to skew Italian red and California Cab — reliable if not surprising. Don't come here hoping to discover something unexpected by the glass; do come here knowing your Chianti will be solid.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $40s
Jordan consistently punches above its price point — approachable, food-friendly, and right at home next to a bone-in ribeye without asking you to think too hard about it.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Most tables here default to Barolo or Brunello, but the Amarone on this list is worth your attention — rich, dried-fruit intensity that stands up to the Veal chop in a way that lighter reds simply can't.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and Gene & Georgetti's markup on a wine this ubiquitous makes it a tough sell. You can do better on this list with half the price premium.
Ceretto Barolo + Prime Aged Bone-In Ribeye
A Nebbiolo this structured needs protein and fat to soften its edges — the ribeye gives it exactly that, and the wine gives the beef something to answer to. This is the Gene & Georgetti order.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Gene & Georgetti isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the Italian cellar is deep enough and serious enough that you won't feel shortchanged. Stick to the Barolo, Brunello, or Amarone, avoid the obvious California markup traps, and you'll drink well in one of Chicago's great rooms.
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