New York City - Where can I find good wines in NYC?

What wine stores do you recommend in Manhattan? I'll be this week and probably will look for some good California wine. Not high expensive, top wines, but enough good ones.

I was in Santa Barbara few years ago and found those wineries around Solvang, some of them where the movie Sideways was filmed (wines that later I have not found in markets.. Sanford, Kalyra, Sunstone). That's the kind of wines I''ll be looking for.

I was in Santa Barbara few years ago and found those wineries around Solvang, some of them where the movie Sideways was filmed (wines that later I have not found in markets.. Sanford, Kalyra, Sunstone). That's the kind of wines I''ll be looking for.You're looking for a wine store that sells the kind of wines you can't find in stores? ;)

What would be your budget for not expensive, but good enough?

If you're looking for a specific bottle, you can do some research online first. I'd suggest using Wine Searcher. For example: http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/sanford/1/usa

That said, some shops that I frequent, working from north to south:

Mister Wright -- 89th and 3rd
Sherry-Lehmann -- 59th and Park (biggest)
Moore Brothers -- 20th and Park (very limited Cali selection though)
Chelsea Wine Vault -- 15th and 9th

They all have their inventories available to view online.

What wine stores do you recommend in Manhattan? I'll be this week and probably will look for some good California wine. Not high expensive, top wines, but enough good ones.

I was in Santa Barbara few years ago and found those wineries around Solvang, some of them where the movie Sideways was filmed (wines that later I have not found in markets.. Sanford, Kalyra, Sunstone). That's the kind of wines I''ll be looking for.

I tasted a Sanford white last summer. ^

You will never find any of the better California boutique wines in New York. That's not to say you won't get lucky, but it's unlikely.

When I first started my wine education, I would see 1 shelf of California Pinot Noir ( or fill in your wine of choice). When I was in LA or San Francisco, I'd see 1 shelf from 1 vineyard + an entire 4 foot (1.3 meter) floor to ceiling area of that varietal.

My point is that what you'll find in New York is limited vs California. blort mentions some quality shops. Several more here... http://www.drvino.com/newyorkwineshops.php

dh

You're looking for a wine store that sells the kind of wines you can't find in stores? ;)

What would be your budget for not expensive, but good enough?

I meant markets. Well in Peru there are several markets (similar to Target, Wal-Mart) that sell very good wines, from argentine, chilean, to spaniard, italian wines.

About the budget, yes I should specify, cause since prices may vary in the States from South America, it may be a tricky answer. Actually I'm in the range from $30 to $60

This is what I drank... 2009 Di Bruno Pinot Grigio Sanford & Benedict
I drank this with Bruno. :o

The markets in NY are not allowed to sell wine. You'll have to go to a liquor store mentioned above. Can we all go shopping with you? :D

This is what I drank... 2009 Di Bruno Pinot Grigio Sanford & Benedict
I drank this with Bruno. :o

The markets in NY are not allowed to sell wine. You'll have to go to a liquor store mentioned above. Can we all go shopping with you? :D

Come to Peru.. At the markets I mentioned, the tastings are absolutely free ^.. not like California wineries where a tasting glass is $4 (only one winery offered just one glass for free).

Ex-californian living in NYC here. my favorites:

Le Du Wines on Washington
http://www.leduwines.com/

Manley's on 8th
http://www.manleyswine.com/

Astor
http://www.astorwines.com/

Come to Peru..

Sure. Why not. :D YHPM

I'm a big fan of Discovery Wines (http://www.discoverywines.com/) at Ave B and 2nd Street. Their selection isn't enormous and is weighted more toward the $20-40 range than the $30-60 range. But they choose their inventory pretty carefully (it's mostly smaller producers--lots of interesting stuff) and their staff is very good.

I just moved to NYC a couple of months ago, so my experience isn't that broad, but I've been very pleased with Chambers Street Wines on Chambers St in Tribeca. Great selection at all price levels and very knowledgeable staff.

http://www.pasowine.com/

http://www.slowine.com/cm/Home.html

Don't miss out on the expereince of these wines, and be sure to come here and taste for yourself, where many of the tasting rooms do not charge for tasting. Some will credit your tasting fee towards a purchase.

I'll second Mister Wright. Good selection and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

+1 for Astor Wine... A really big selection...

Astor is good - and Costco in Queens has a liquor store with a small but well priced selection. To be frank though - why bother?

I like Sherry Lehman most and then Astor.

Come to Peru.. At the markets I mentioned, the tastings are absolutely free ^.. not like California wineries where a tasting glass is $4 (only one winery offered just one glass for free).

i prefer the places that charge. freeloaders aare exactly that. freeloaders. i recall some winery in chiantshire. this flock showed up. they were told the tasting of three wines was one lousy euro, which could go to the price of a purchase. the whole busload left. the wine industry does not need that bunch of people.

forget that bs "if your wine was good enough, you wouldn't charge for it"

try costco...they change up their selection a fair amount, so you never know...

If price is the only consideration, then Garnet (http://www.garnetwine.com/), opposite Hunter College. If they have what you want, their price will be excellent. They have an excellent selection of Champagne. (They used to always win the Daily News holiday price competition when it was run in December.)

If service and knowledge is the only consideration, then Sherry-Lehmann (http://www.sherry-lehmann.com/), on the northwest corner of 59th and Park. If they don't have what you want, they will get it and you will pay for it. Unfortunately, since they moved from Madison Avenue, a lot of their bottles are in storage in Brooklyn.

If you are in Brooklyn, and would like a combination of the first two, then Caesar's (http://www.yelp.com/biz/caesars-wines-and-liquors-brooklyn) in Bensonhurst. If you need to bring a bottle for someone you don't like, look for the Russian "champagne" section.

For some more specialized selections:

If you need a kosher wine, especially a very high quality one (think $500 Bordeaux), then Skyview (http://www.skyviewwine.com/) in Riverdale is your place for the best selection of kosher wines. Let me know what it tastes like. :)

For the best selection of sake, Japanese wine and imported-from-Japan beer (e.g. Yebisu, Suntory, Coedo, etc.) then Mitsuwa (http://www.mitsuwa.com/tenpo/newj/eindex.html) in Edgewater. While Mitsuwa has things like at least a dozen different kinds of Choya, good luck finding someone to explain anything to you at least on a Sunday when I go there.

Happy holidays to everyone on the forum!

Le Du