The Harvard Square Bartender's Guide to Wine

Harvard students aren’t always inclined to look beyond campus parties, but Cambridge is hopping with bars and restaurants excited to serve of-age students. FM spoke to bartenders working in Harvard Square and near the Quad to get advice for students looking to break out of the college scene’s beer and liquor offerings.

Whether you’re looking for a sit down meal, getting drinks with friends, or craving a rich glass of red, here are the restaurateurs’ thoughts on the best wine deals in town.

UNO'S (22 JFK St.)

Manager: John D. Barisano

His favorite: The Tilia Malbec is “sweeter, not as dry.” $8.29/glass

House wine: $5/glass

Best deal: Get four glasses for the price of three when you buy a bottle.

GRENDEL’S DEN (89 Winthrop St.)

Bartender: Dianna Goodenough

Her suggestions: House red (Cabernet) and house white (Pinot Grigio), $5/glass

SHAY'S PUB & WINE BAR (58 JFK St.)

Bartender: Dave A. Iacolucci

His favorites: The Zinfandel, $8/glass, is “heavy, sweet, good to have with meat, the boldest wine we have.”

The Côtes du Rhône, $7/glass, is “very mild, smooth.”

House wines: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Pinot Grigio, $6/glass

THE BOATHOUSE (49 Mt. Auburn St.)

Bartender: Cory M. Templehof

His favorite: Vinho Verde: “It’s our version of Riesling—sparkly, kind of like Champagne but with a sweet wine taste.” $6/glass, $20/bottle

Best deal: Alias Cabernet Sauvignon, $6/glass, $20/bottle

RUSSELL HOUSE TAVERN (14 JFK St.)

Bartender: Frederic R. Yarm

His favorite: The Rosé is “popular for the summer, a touch sweeter and more casual.” $10/glass

Wines on tap: Riesling and Chardonnay, $6/glass

CHARLIE'S KITCHEN (10 Eliot St.)

Bartender: Allison T. Connolly

Her favorite: Côtes du Rhône. $7/glass

House wines: White Wine Pinot Grigio and Uncle Charlie’s Merlot, $5/glass

MAHARAJA (57 JFK St.)

Waiter: Uttam Limbu

His suggestions: Angeline Pinot Noir, $8/glass: “The ladies love this one… Perfect for the fall and when it’s snowing.”

CAMBRIDGE COMMON (1667 Mass. Ave.)

General Manager: Nicholas W. Emmons

His suggestion: Pinot Grigio, $8/glass. “Popular in the summer if you’re of legal age.”

His favorite: Fish Eye’s Pinot Grigio, $5.95/glass, is “really fruity, floral” and an “amazing line for that price.”

House wines: Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, $4.95/glass

(And for the real cheapskates, Charlie’s Beer Garden bartender Ganessa Moreno suggests cheap Pinot Grigio “for after a bar when you’re already shitfaced.” Connolly of Charlie’s Kitchen noted the infamous Three Buck Chuck sold at Trader Joe’s: It “doesn’t taste fantastic but it’s drinkable.”)