Nové Italian Restaurant
Solid Italian list, no surprises, no complaints
Colonie · Albany · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Nové reads exactly like you'd expect from a polished suburban Italian spot — heavy on recognizable names, light on adventure. It's curated for comfort, not curiosity. If you know what you like and you like Italian, you won't be lost here.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans hard into Italy's greatest hits: Tuscany and Veneto carry the weight, with a California section filling out the back half for the crowd that wants a Cab with their veal. There's real ambition in stocking the Marchesi Antinori Tignanello — that's a serious Tuscan Super, and it signals someone here cares at least a little. But the supporting cast — Ecco Domani, La Marca, Ruffino — is supermarket-adjacent and priced like it belongs in a fine dining room. The list sits somewhere between 60 and 100 bottles, which is enough to make a decision but not enough to get excited about.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs 8 to 14 options, which is a reasonable spread for the format. Expect the usual suspects: a Pinot Grigio, a Chianti, probably a California red. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority — this feels like a list that gets set once and revisited when someone notices something ran out.
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva — null
It's not exciting, but Ruffino's Riserva is a legitimately good Chianti Classico that holds up against the kitchen's red sauce dishes. Of the recognizable names on this list, it's the one most likely to deliver more than its reputation suggests — especially alongside the Veal Parmigiana.
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello
Most tables ordering at Nové are reaching for whatever they already know. The Tignanello is a Sangiovese-Cabernet blend from one of Tuscany's most respected houses and it genuinely earns its spot on any list. If you're going to spend money here, spend it on this — not on a marked-up Pinot Grigio.
Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio
Ecco Domani is a $10 grocery store bottle. At restaurant markup in a $$-$$$ room, you're paying a significant premium for something that has no business being on a list that also carries Tignanello. Order the Ruffino instead.
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva + Eggplant Parmigiana
Chianti Classico and tomato-based Italian dishes are a cliché for good reason — the wine's acidity cuts through the richness and the Sangiovese tannins don't bully the eggplant. This is the most reliable combination on the menu.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Nové is a comfortable, well-executed Italian restaurant with a wine list that mirrors its menu: familiar, competent, and priced for the room rather than for your wallet. Send a friend here if they want a reliable night out — just steer them away from the grocery-store pours and toward the Tignanello if they're feeling flush.
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