Red Sauce Done Right, Wine List Done Wrong
Downtown · Manchester · Italian
Reviewed April 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The room is warm and genuinely charming — flickering candles, red checkered tablecloths, the whole trattoria package. Then you open the wine list and the spell breaks a little. Six options, all from two producers you've probably never heard of, at prices that feel a bit optimistic for what's on offer.
The entire list leans on Ca'Brigiano and Corsi, two volume-production Italian labels that show up at casual spots exactly like this one. There's a Corsi Chianti and a Corsi Montepulciano representing the red side of Italian heritage, which is fine, but that's about as adventurous as it gets. No Barolo, no Brunello, no Amarone — nothing that makes you feel like the restaurant is taking the Italian wine identity seriously. The markup data tells the rest of the story: comparable bottles in the neighborhood are running 80-90% over retail, which is hard to justify when the list itself isn't doing much heavy lifting.
Six pours total, which at least means you're not stuck choosing between two options. You've got both whites — Ca'Brigiano Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio — and four reds split between Ca'Brigiano and Corsi. At $6.75 a glass, the sticker price feels approachable, but the quality ceiling is low and there's no rotation happening here.
Corsi Montepulciano — $6.75/glass
Of everything on the list, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo offers the most personality for the money — it's rustic, food-friendly, and doesn't pretend to be something it's not. For a weeknight red with a bowl of pasta, it does the job without drama.
Corsi Chianti
Nobody's ordering the Chianti when the Cabernet is right there on the menu, but they should be. Even at this price point, Chianti's bright acidity and savory backbone work harder with Italian food than a generic Cab ever will. It's the correct choice and most people walk right past it.
Ca'Brigiano Cabernet
A California-leaning Cabernet on an Italian list is a red flag by itself, and this one earns its keep mainly by being familiar. It's the wine people order when they're not paying attention, and at these markups, that comfort costs more than it should. There are better calls on this short list.
Corsi Chianti + Veal Marsala
Chianti's earthy, cherry-driven character and natural acidity cut right through the richness of a Marsala sauce without overwhelming the delicate veal. It's a classic Italian logic move — regional wine with regional cooking — and it actually works here even at the entry level.
❌ The Bottom Line
Piccola Italia is a genuinely lovely neighborhood spot for dinner, but the wine list is an afterthought bolted onto an otherwise warm experience. Order the Chianti, enjoy the Eggplant Parm, and don't spend too much time staring at the wine menu.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.