Solid Italian anchor on Chippewa Street
Allentown · Buffalo · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Tappo lands with the confidence of a restaurant that actually thought about it — Italian-forward, regionally coherent, and priced accessibly enough that you won't feel punished for ordering a second bottle. It's not going to blow any minds, but it's clearly not an afterthought either. For Allentown on a Friday night, this is a genuinely decent place to drink.
The list runs 80-plus bottles with a smart spine through Italy — Veneto, Tuscany, Friuli, Abruzzo, and Marche all get representation, which tells you someone did their homework on the boot. Highlights include the Jermann Pinot Grigio from Friuli (the good Pinot Grigio, not the grocery store stuff) and the Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino for when you're feeling serious. Stags' Leap Cab and a Mendoza section give the list some New World breathing room without going overboard. The gaps are minor — Piedmont could use more love, and the Champagne section is essentially just Veuve Clicquot — but for a neighborhood Italian in Buffalo, the depth is real.
Twelve by-the-glass options is a respectable number, and the floor starts at $7, which is refreshingly honest for a sit-down Italian spot. The selection skews safe and crowd-pleasing rather than adventurous, but that's not necessarily a crime when the room is buzzing and people want wine with pizza. We'd love to see more rotation — the list feels like it hasn't moved much recently.
Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva — $18-$99 range
Carpineto is a serious producer in Chianti Classico — this isn't a filler wine dressed up in a fancy bottle. If it's priced in the lower-mid tier of the list, it's the move for anyone eating the house-made pasta or a wood-fired red sauce dish.
Jermann Pinot Grigio
Most people hear Pinot Grigio and think Santa Margherita at a hotel bar. Jermann is a different conversation entirely — it's one of Friuli's top producers and makes a version of this grape that's actually worth paying attention to. Order it and watch people at your table ask what you're drinking.
Brotherhood Brut NY
At $29 on the list against a $12 retail price, this is a 142% markup on a sparkling wine that's perfectly fine but nothing special. If you want bubbles, spend the extra dollars on the Veuve Clicquot and at least get something worth the splurge.
Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino + Wood-fired pizza
Brunello with pizza sounds like overkill until you remember that Sangiovese and tomato were basically made for each other — the acidity locks in, the wood char on the crust plays off the wine's earthiness, and suddenly a casual Friday dinner feels like a minor occasion.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Tappo isn't going to be the reason you plan a wine trip to Buffalo, but it's a genuinely solid Italian list with real producers and approachable prices — just watch the sparkling markups. Send your friends here; they won't be disappointed.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.