Vino
121 East 27th Street (between Park & Lexington)
M-S noon-10:00 p.m., Sun noon- 8:00 p.m. (212) 725-6516

If wines from Italy are your predilection head over to Vino rated number two in wine & spirits by Zagat Market Place. With more than 500 products in inventory you can be sure that every wine producing region of Italy is represented. On Fridays (5:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (4:00 p.m.) Vino offers free wine tastings in the shop. More in depth tasting events and courses are conducted at a fee in their banquet and events center "Vinoteca" located next door. Their gift shop offers a selection of wine paraphernalia including glassware and books. visit their web site: www.vino.com.



Otto Pizzeria
8th Street (just east of Fifth Avenue)
open daily 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Reservations recommended 212 995-9559

Don't let the word Pizza in the establishment's name fool you. This is not your neighborhood "let's grab a slice of pizza" shop. Instead, this successful pizzeria and enoteca owned by master of Italian cuisine, Mario Batali combines a restaurant and wine bar of equally high standards. Great for families, groups and couples alike, Otto Pizzeria offers a delectable menu of italian dishes, however, many come just for the upscale pizza. (Seventeen different varieties are served each day). For the consummate comfort food seeker, we suggest trying the gelatto rated 'Best Gelatto" by New York Magazine Best of New York.

At the wine bar (enoteca) you can experience one of New York City's best wine selections. One of the many sommeliers working at Otto will be happy to assist you in selecting something to your liking from over 500 wines. On Sundays at 2:00 p.m. head sommelier, Peter Jamros conducts a wine tasting class for beginners ( 1-1 1/2hrs long) in which he walks participants through the basic steps of wine tasting. During the wine tasting you will enjoy cheese and other food items selected by Mario Batali to complement the various wines. The cost of the wine tasting is $35 per person and participation is limited to 18 to maintain intimacy. Participants walk away with information on various regions of Southern Italy and how the characteristics of each grape variety influences taste.



Italian Wine Merchants
108 East 16th Street (between Madison & Park) 212 473-2323.
M-F 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Sat 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. closed Sundays

Located in the very popular Union Square area and aimed at an audience with at least a working knowledge of wine, Italian Wine Merchants features an extensive and upscale selection of wines ranging from moderately expensive to collector items. Aside from their broad knowledge of wine they offer valuable information to those looking to set up or maintain an in-home cellar. Sommeliers at Italian Wine Merchant offer wine seminars in their newly built wine tasting room.
Italian Wine Merchants is owned by celebrity chef Mario Batali.
For details visit their web site: www.italianwinemerchant.com.



Union Square Wine & Spirits
33 Union Square West (between 15th & 16th Streets) 212 675-8100
M-S 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sun. noon-6:00p.m.

Housed in the moorish style Decker building, once the home of Andy Worhol's factory studio, USQ wines presents a charming setting and vast selection of wines and spirits (nearly 4000). The newly built temperature controlled wine room offers moderately priced tasting sessions on a year round basis. Worth seeing but look for better prices elsewhere. For those who find themselves in New York City regularly their email newsletter is a great resource. For wine sales and special wine related events taking place within the shop. Visit their web site: www.unionsquarewines.com.
 

Vintage Babbo
Babbo Restaurant
110 Waverly Place(NW corner of Washington Sq. Pk.) 212 777-0303
M-Sat 5:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., Sun 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

This New York City dining hot spot owned by Joe Bastianich and chef Mario Batali offers a series of seminars and wine tastings given by Joe Bastianich himself. The combination of a more rare wine selection and a top notch menu specially developed for these events by Chef Batali make for a much sought after experience. This exclusive and rare occasion comes with a hefty price tag averaging around $350 per person. Both the restaurant and tasting events are on New York City's top 10 list and reservations are hard to come by. Try the summer months when many locals are out of town. To reserve a spot at an upcoming event call 917-715-3599.



i Trulli Restaurant and Enoteca
122 East 27th Street (between Park and Lexington) 212 481-7372
Restaurant hrs: M-Th 5:30 p.m. -10:00 p.m., Fri,
Sat & Sun 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Enoteca hrs: Fri 3:00 p.m., Sat 4:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.,
Sun 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Recipient of two Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator, i Trulli boasts one of the largest wine lists
in the world and has been nominated for the James Beard Wine Service Award for four years. Inspired by the cuisine of chef Antonietta Pepe's native Puglia, the menu features simple dishes of fresh fish, golden olive oil and hand-made pasta. Combined with their impressive wine list, I Trulli offers a very enjoyable meal that is authentically southern italian.

At their enoteca (wine bar) located across the street, you will find fifty different wines by the glass. If your are not sure which one you would like, Enoteca i Trulli offers a three-wine tasting that can be enjoyed with a large selection of cheeses or other items from their food menu. visit their web site: www.itrulli.com.



Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe
One Rockefeller Center (at 49th Street) 212 688-9370.

This is a favorite summertime lunch and after-work spot for local business people and tourists alike due to its rare outdoor eating space in the highly trafficked midtown location. Wine tastings scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month start at $45 per person. For a better deal sign up for a group of classes at a reduced price. Themed classes held on Thursdays start at $70.These tastings are presented with artisanal cheese selected by Maitre Fromager Max  McCalman of Artisanal (see cheese shop article in this same newsletter). If you find yourself in the neighborhood unexpectedly stop in and take a look around.Special sales are usually going on as well as free wine tastings. For a complete list of individual and combination packages visit their web site: www.morrellwine.com.



Sherry Lehmann
679 Madison Avenue (at 67 Street) 212 -838-7500

It's unanimous! the best critics have all named Sherry Lehmann New York City's best wine shop. Zagat, in his Gourmet Marketplace 2005 calls it
"a wine aficionado's paradise." The store is large, upscale and can be a bit overwhelming so ask for help. Although known for their high end Bordeaux, among its 400 labels you can find a spectrum that runs the gamut including 400 bottles selling at under $10 each. The very knowledgeable staff can help you
navigate your way to that perfect bottle.

Wine tastings are held on Saturday afternoons where bottles ranging
anywhere from $10 - $250 will be poured. To properly warehouse their
inventory, Sherry Lehmann has a 65,000 square foot temperature and
humidity controlled cellar directly beneath the store. To shop on line
visit them at www.sherry-lehmann.com



Vintage New York
482 Broom Street (at Wooster Street in SOHO) 212-226-9462
2492 Broadway (at 93 Street uptown) 212-721-9999
Both locations are open daily until 9:00 p.m.

If you are looking for a break from Tuscany, Bordeaux and the Napa Valley, Vintage Wines presents wines for those in a New York frame of mind. Visit either location for a unique collection of New York State wines produced on Long Island, the Hudson valley and the Finger Lakes. Their goal is to introduce the public to wines produced throughout the State and to demystify the wine making process. With these goals in mind, Vintage offers tasting counters giving shoppers the opportunity to sample many of the items in inventory at anytime as well as monthly classes. Head to the SOHO location for the Master Class with Chefs series or uptown for the Train your Taste buds series. Both locations have a cellar that can be made available for private events. the next Master Class is scheduled for August 2, 2005 ($25 per person). For complete and up to date schedules of classes and Saturday afternoon sessions with local vintners, or to register call the numbers listed above.

On June 28th a wine bar will be unveiled adjacent to the SOHO location. The sales staff seemed to handle this bit of information like a well guarded secret but we did manage to uncover the basic facts. Apparently, on Tuesday, June 28th New York City's first wine bar serving only New York State wines opened at 60 Wooster Street just around the corner from the SOHO location. The hours are 5:00 p.m. to midnight daily and no reservations are accepted. A tapas menu will also be available. I'll have to head down there myself before the word spreads and I'm forced to stand on line with the SOHO chic.



67 Wine
179 Columbus Avenue (at 67th Street)
212-724-6767 888-671-6767

This down to earth shop prides itself on its knowledgeable and helpful staff and in promoting the fact that good wine doesn't have to cost a fortune. If you enjoy sharing a bottle of wine with friends or family but don't want to remortgage the house, just let the staff know what type of wine you prefer and how much you would like to spend. There are good wines at every price range say the folks at 67 Wine. Free in-shop wine tastings are held regularly and a complete schedule can be found on their web site: www.67wine.com.

Some Wine Tasting Tips

To maintain a feeling of intimacy, most wine merchants limit participation
in each planned event to a small number. Always make sure to call in
advance to reserve a spot.

Wine tasting events vary in cost and complexity. Always check to see
whether or not an event is free or at a fee, whether it is simply a walk by
or a full length tasting or seminar and whether cheeses, hors d'oeuvres
or other complementary foods are included.

Most wine merchants, just as connoisseurs in any other field, are proud
of their industry and eager to share their excitement and impart their
knowledge. So, be sure to ask questions.

More and more wine bottles are being produced with screw caps rather
than the traditional cork. This is no longer a sign of an inferior wine. Many
wine producers feel that screw caps provide a tighter seal and eliminate the possibility of cork contamination.

Special Event for Wine Enthusiasts

This fall Wine Spectator Magazine will celebrate
its 25th annual New York Wine Experience. Held for
three days, October 20-22 at the New York Marriott
Marquis, this event brings together wine enthusiasts
with varying levels of expertise and promises to be
both entertaining and informative for all. The packed
agenda includes day and evening tastings, two lunches
and a black tie "Grand Award" banquet. Attendees will
meet winemakers from more than 250 of the best
wineries throughout the world, which have been selected, by the Wine
Spectator board of editors, to participate in this year's event. For a
complete agenda including a detailed list of all sessions and lunches
visit www.winespectator.com/Wine/NYWE2005.