There's no arguing that Milwaukee is a beer town. But we're becoming more and more friendly with the grape and especially the vinified grape.

That means going to a bar no longer means choosing between pilsner or stout, and it's not even a choice of Merlot vs. Cabernet anymore, either, thanks to these innovative and adventurous wine-focused bars and restaurants.

Bacchus
925 E. Wells St., (414) 765-1166
www.bacchusmke.com
More restaurant than bar, Bacchus -- in the elegant setting of Cudahy Tower -- has a lovely bar separate from the dining room and most of the time you can enjoy the restaurant's astonishing wine list in the glass-enclosed solarium, too.

Balzac
1716 N. Arlington Pl., (414) 755-0099
www.balzacwinebar.com
You'd think that a vast, five-page wine list offering everything from a $6 glass of Caves de Pomerol Picpoul de Pinet (described on the list as the Muscadet of south France) to a $400 bottle of Australian Henschke "Hill of Grace" (described as arguably the rarest and best wine on Earth) would be presented on something other than three sheets of stapled paper.

But, more importantly, the wines are served in stemless Riedel crystal, an indication that someone in the joint knows how to treat wine, and the menu offers low-priced "tastes" in case you can't make up your mind between the Hungarian Oremus Tokaji Furmint and French Mas Neuf.

The Cheese Bar
1048 N. Old World 3rd St., (414) 272-3544
www.wisconsincheesemart.com
The Wisconsin Cheese Mart opened The Cheese Bar in 2009 to help Milwaukeeans satisfy that most savory of food and drink combinations, Wisconsin cheese and fine wines. The Cheese Bar indulges in the art of pairing more than 140 local cheeses with wine and local beers in an old-world style.

Cuvee
177 N. Broadway, (414) 225-9800
www.cuveemke.com
Cuvee has a full bar, although the main menu's focus is on bubbly. The lengthy list of champagne cocktails -- essentially a fruity martini list, substituting champagne for flavored vodkas -- ranges from the classic mimosa ($6), champagne and orange juice, to rarities such as the Bouzy $10 (named for a village in Champagne), which features dry gin, triple sec and champagne. Regular wine -- what Cuvee calls "still wine" -- is available, too.

Dream Dance Steak
1712 W. Canal St., (414) 847-7883
www.paysbig.com/dining/dreamdance.htm
Like Bacchus, Dream Dance -- in the Potawatomi Bingo Casino -- is an upscale restaurant, but has a separate bar area where you can enjoy anything off an amazing wine list.

Indulge
708 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 390-9463
www.getindulge.com
Opened in 2008 as restaurateur Marc Bianchini's newest experience, Indulge is a sleek and stylish urban wine room, with a focus on design, fine foods, and more than 300 different wines, 60 available by the glass. It also features artisan cheeses, decadent chocolates, hand-made truffles and charcuterie such as prosciutto and pates.

La Merenda
125 E. National Ave., (414) 389-0125
www.lamerenda125.com
In addition to international cuisine in a small-plate / tapas format, this Walker's Point gem has an extensive wine list with reds from Australia, Italy, Argentina, France, South Africa and beyond and whites from Tasmania, Sardinia, California, New Zealand and elsewhere. Most are available by the glass.

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6 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

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Posted by rkerhin on Nov. 10, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (report)

Fleming's Steak House and Wine Bar in Brookfield serves 100 wines by the glass and has 100 reserve wines with quite a few hard to find boutique wines and 1st growth Bordeaux. They also have their 5 for 6 until 7 happy hour with 5 selections of cocktails, wine and appetizers for $6 from 5-7pm.

Posted by rrr on Nov. 9, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. (report)

La Merenda is smoke-free!

Posted by thiefwine on Nov. 9, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. (report)

RJ, Thief Wine is smoke-free. Cheers, Phil

Posted by erun on Nov. 8, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. (report)

The Cheese Bar is smoke free and a cool place to hang out, too! $2 taps on Friday nights! You can't go wrong with that!

Posted by RJ on Nov. 7, 2009 at 5:06 p.m. (report)

The Wind Rose in Port Washington closed about a year or so ago.