Cozy red-sauce spot, wine list plays it safe
East Anchorage · Anchorage · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed May 30, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Sorrento's reads like a greatest hits of Italian-American dining — Ruffino, Banfi, a California Chardonnay or two, and nothing that will surprise you. It's the kind of list that was clearly built to match the menu rather than to excite the wine-curious. Which, honestly, isn't the worst thing when the lasagna is calling your name.
The list leans into its Italian-American identity with Chianti, Pinot Grigio, and Tuscan blends doing most of the heavy lifting. You'll find familiar names like Ruffino and Banfi on the Italian side, and Charles Krug representing California — solid if unspectacular producers. There's no real depth here in terms of regional exploration: no southern Italian variety, no Barolo or Barbaresco, no Vermentino or Greco di Tufo to get excited about. If you're hoping to go off the beaten path, you're in the wrong neighborhood.
The by-the-glass program runs six to twelve options, covering the basics — a Prosecco, a Pinot Grigio, a couple of Chiantis, and a California Chardonnay. Rotation appears minimal; this is a set-it-and-forget-it program that prioritizes familiarity over discovery. That said, you won't be stuck drinking something bad — just something predictable.
Banfi Chianti Classico — $10
At $10 a glass, the Banfi Chianti Classico is the most serious wine on the list relative to its price. It's a step above the standard Ruffino Chianti and actually has the structure to stand up to a plate of lasagna or chicken Parmesan without rolling over.
Santa Cristina Toscana
Most people will walk right past this Antinori-produced Sangiovese blend and go straight for the Chianti, but Santa Cristina punches above its $9 glass price. It's a softer, more approachable take on Tuscan reds — good for anyone who finds traditional Chianti a bit austere.
Villa Sandi Prosecco NV
At $10 a glass, you're paying a 400% markup on a bottle that retails for under $15. Villa Sandi is perfectly fine Prosecco, but this is the most aggressive markup on the list — order it for a toast and move on, don't linger here.
Banfi Chianti Classico + Chicken Parmesan
The Banfi Chianti Classico's bright acidity and cherry-driven fruit cut right through the richness of the tomato sauce and melted cheese on Sorrento's chicken Parm. It's a classic combination for a reason, and here it's the most capable wine on the list to pull it off.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Sorrento's is a comfortable, no-pretense neighborhood Italian where the wine list exists to serve the food — not steal the show. The markups are steeper than they need to be for this caliber of selection, but if you're here for the pasta and a glass of Chianti, you won't go home disappointed.
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