One benefit of living in a NYC is that your wine shops are likely to have great selections of imported wines. It can be intimating to step into a wine shop in NYC, for sure. If your coffee mug says slay then rosé, then it’s likely you are a wino. This article is for those of you who want to venture beyond chardonnay and pinot grigio made by the top three wine regions of the world: France, Italy, and Spain.
Interestingly, there are great wines to be had by other countries. Countries like Greece, New Zealand, South Africa, and Germany have made traction in the wine world. As it turns out, Swiss wine is also a rare unicorn. Switzerland is a fine wine country and has been at it since Roman times, yet it only exports about one percent, mainly Germany. So next time you are browsing the Trader Joes Wine Store in Union Square looking for the perfect vin de table, try one of the seven wine shops in NYC below. Your friends will be impressed by more foreign wine. Also, they will likely be thrilled for any free booze. Also, remember everything in moderation. Be sure to check out our article on the health benefits of wine. (Spoiler, Olivia Pope’s ( Scandal) diet of popcorn and wine is not as healthy as you would imagine.)
Salud, Salute, and Santé as they give cheers in Spain, Italy, and France!
1. The Mother-load of Wine Shops
Astor Wines & Spirit 399 Lafayette St
Astor Wines & Spirits is a shop and liquor mega-store in lower Manhattan. They are known for having a variety of wines from around the world at reasonable rates. This is the kind of wine shop in NYC that you can easily find a quality bottle of Bordeaux priced for only forty bucks. And, you’ll be happy to have the legroom to browse. They ship, so you can also shop online. Check their website, they do wine tastings daily for free and have great discounts. Fancy trying a wine from Hungary or Mexico? They have you covered. Their staff is super knowledgeable and friendly
2. The Wine Shop with a Tasting Machine
Union Square Wines & Spirits (140 4th Ave)
Who knew, wine tasting had become like fro-yo testing at Pinkberry? Sad news for the more pretentious oenophile, but great news for the rest of us. The USQ store offers a rewards card for wine tasting thanks to their nifty little machine imported from Tuscany, which stores 48 open bottles. Tasters are given 15-milliliter tastes at the swipe of a card that includes complimentary 1,000 points. It might be fun to try their wine from Transylvania, which supposedly tastes like garlic (vampire joke). No, it’s a sweet and popular white wine. Their staff might be prickly, but the wines are sectioned off by country, region, etc. You might pay more than if you went over to Trader Joes, but you won’t have to stand in as long of a line.
3. Cheap Drinks
Garnet Wine & Liquor (929 Lexington Ave)
Garnet Wine and Liquor has been in operation since 1947 located in the Upper East Side. They are an oldie but goodie with a great section at with a helpful staff to assist in all whimsies wine-related. They are also jammed packed because of their daily discounts. Also, Garnet offers free delivery anywhere in Manhattan at a minimum $50.00 purchase. If you go, grab a Sauvignon Blanc made in the vineyards of New Zealand. You would probably recognize the bottle made by Cupcake Vineyards, a California Brand. They too now have caned wine, so you might have to put down the White Claw. Brb
4. The Bargain Wine Shop
Wine Warehouse & Spirits (735 Broadway)
You’re either a Warehouse or an Astor, the lines of loyalty are easily drawn. This warehouse is a spacious and affordable wine emporium located on Broadway. It’s not far from WSQ park, so you could nab a bottle before enjoying a picnic. In stock, is a popular Australian wine brand called 19 Crimes. In the 18th century, the British punished prisoners by transporting them to Australia. Each bottle of 19 Crimes features a real colonist. You can download the brand’s app for a virtual and augmented reality experience where you will hear from the British ex-pats their stories. It’s kind of trippy so drink up!
5. Mixed Cases
Flatiron Wines & Spirits (929 Broadway)
They may cost you more, but it is nice to know that this wine store has a 30-day return policy. Flatiron is a cool and cozy with a great selection. They tout they are the NYC wine store with hard to find wines. Not to mention, they offer a 10% discount on mixed cases, which is always fun. You can peep some wines from Greece and Chile.
6. The Wine Shop for Hipsters
Bottlerocket Wine & Spirits (5 W 19th St)
Bottlerocket Wine & Spirits is the way of the future. Here, the wines are sectioned by theme. Planning a night of Netflix and Chinese take-away? Then, find the section with the big Chinese Carton. Bottlerocket has recommended wines that pair well with local NYC menus. There is also a seating section in the back, toys for children, and biscuits and water for visiting doggos. Be sure to download their app for discounts and reward points with delivery or in-store quick pick-up to avoid the crowds.
7. Brooklyn
Slope Cellars (436 7th Ave)
Slope Cellars in the Park Slope Neighborhood in Brooklyn. This a quaint wine shop with an intimate selection. Their staff is helpful, if you are feeling adventurous ask about their natural or orange colored wines.
