Texas de Brazil
Malbec and Meat, Mostly in That Order
International Drive · Orlando · Brazilian Churrascaria
Reviewed April 12, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into Texas de Brazil on International Drive, you half-expect a mediocre tourist-trap list propped up by Kendall-Jackson and a few Malbecs. What you actually get is a 150-plus bottle list anchored in California, Argentina, and Italy — with enough name recognition to hold its own at a proper steakhouse. It's not subtle, but it's not embarrassing either.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans hard into the California-Argentina-Italy triangle, which happens to be exactly the right axis for a meat-forward churrascaria. Argentina shows up well with Catena Zapata and Achaval Ferrer flying the Malbec flag, while California brings Caymus, Jordan, Stag's Leap, and Silver Oak — the greatest hits of the Cabernet-loving crowd. Italy earns its keep with Antinori Super Tuscans and a Gaja Barbaresco that will catch you off guard given the setting. The gaps are real — don't come hunting for Burgundy, Rhône, or anything remotely esoteric — but within its lane, the list is coherent and well-curated enough to have held a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2006.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs 12 to 20 options and covers enough ground to get you through a meal without feeling trapped. Expect the usual suspects — a Malbec, a California Cab, maybe a Chardonnay — at prices that reflect the room. Rotation appears limited, so don't expect surprises, but there's enough here to drink well while the gaucho keeps coming.
Santa Rita 120 Malbec 2021 — $45
At $45 this is a workhorse bottle that doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is — approachable, fruit-forward, and genuinely good with a plate of picanha. It's the lowest-effort, highest-return call on this list.
Achaval Ferrer Malbec
Most tables here reach for Caymus or Silver Oak out of habit, which means Achaval Ferrer gets overlooked. That's a mistake — this is serious Mendoza Malbec from a producer who actually cares, and it's one of the more honest pours on the list.
Opus One 2018
At $595 in a churrascaria on International Drive, Opus One is more ego purchase than smart order. The wine is fine; the markup in this context is not. Save that bottle for somewhere it'll get the attention it deserves.
Antinori Tignanello 2019 + Picanha (sirloin cap)
Tignanello's Sangiovese-Cabernet blend has the acid and structure to cut through picanha's fat cap without overwhelming the beef's natural sweetness. It's the one moment on this menu where the wine and the food genuinely elevate each other.
Wednesday — Half-price wine night every Wednesday — the single best reason to game-plan your visit around the middle of the week.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Texas de Brazil isn't a wine destination, but it's a smarter wine program than the I-Drive zip code would suggest, and Wednesday's half-price bottles make it a legitimate value play. Come for the meat, stay for the Achaval Ferrer.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.