Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar
Italy's Greatest Hits, Done Right in Denver
Denver · Denver · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Venice lands like a well-edited anthology of Italian greatness — Barolo, Brunello, Super Tuscans, Amarone — with California holding its own in the back half. It's the kind of list that makes you want to cancel your plans for the rest of the evening and just work through it, page by page.
Selection Deep Dive
Three hundred-plus bottles anchored in Italy's heavy hitters: Gaja and Vietti in Piedmont, Biondi-Santi and Banfi for Brunello, and the Super Tuscan murderers' row — Sassicaia, Tignanello, and Ornellaia all accounted for. Chianti Classico Riserva from Antinori and Felsina rounds out the Tuscan depth, while Allegrini and Masi keep Amarone della Valpolicella well represented. California Cabernet shows up with Jordan and Stag's Leap for the crowd pleasers, and Opus One for those who like a trophy bottle. There are few gaps here — this is what a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence looks like in practice.
By the Glass
With 20-35 by-the-glass options, Venice offers more range than most upscale Italian spots where the BTG list often gets an afterthought treatment. We'd expect the Chianti Classico Riserva and at least one Amarone to rotate through, giving you a proper taste of the list without committing to a full bottle. The BTG program is in capable hands with Nunzio Marino steering the ship.
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva — $60
Felsina consistently punches well above its price class, and in a room full of prestige bottles pushing triple digits, this is where the real drinking is. Classic Sangiovese structure, serious length, and it sings with the tagliatelle al ragù.
Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella
Most tables at Venice are going straight for the Barolos or Super Tuscans — which means the Allegrini Amarone gets overlooked. That's a mistake. It's a deeply concentrated, brooding wine that holds its own against anything on this list, and it's the kind of bottle that makes a dinner feel like an event.
Opus One
Opus One is a perfectly fine bottle that you're paying a full restaurant markup on top of an already-premium retail price. In a restaurant this stacked with Italian options, ordering Opus One is like going to a great ramen spot and getting the salad. Pass.
Vietti Barolo + Osso buco
Barolo and braised veal shank is one of those combinations that has been working for centuries for a reason. Vietti's structure and tannin cut through the richness of the marrow while the wine's rose and tar character mirrors the depth of a long braise. This is the pairing to order.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Venice is the real deal — a legitimately deep Italian wine program run by someone who knows what they're doing, in a city that doesn't always get credit for serious wine. Yes, the high end gets pricey, but this list earns its Best of Award of Excellence, and then some.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.