The perfect wine is great no matter what the temperature — but a chilled glass is received with added warmth when the weather is piping, like New York City’s recent heat wave. Whether you prefer sparkling or sauvignon blanc, visit these top NYC wine bars for a crisp, cool glass.
Maslow 6 promotes itself as a place for wine discovery. This welcoming Tribeca wine bar and shop offers an extensive list of bottles from all over the world (including varieties from New Zealand, France, Italy and Uruguay), which the staff understands can be both equally exciting and intimidating. Aside from the wine, another reason to visit is the events (check out the So You Think You Know Argentina happening with dancing, music and, of course, wine in September). They are hosted by expert sommeliers who help introduce featured pours as well as further broaden your wine wisdom. Complement your vino with seasonal small plates, such as sweet panna cotta, cheese and charcuterie, meatballs with housemade beef, pork-filled pastries, pulled-pork sandwiches and much more.
The Bourgeois Pig
Seductively sexy, The Bourgeois Pig’s velvety red décor makes a romantic retreat for couples looking for a place to share some wine. But what has made this East Village locale such a favorite among New Yorkers is its great selection of French wines (such as a Domaine de la Croix 2005 cabernet sauvignon or a Fredric Magnien 2006 chardonnay), as well as cocktails (a refreshing E.V. Swill mixes fresh mint, lime, orange bitters, Pedro Ximenez and champagne) and the pairing menu, which includes fondue selections ranging from sweet (milk, dark and white chocolate and more) to savory (four cheeses served with roasted potatoes and toasted bread) that will have you drinking for hours.
Just outside of Manhattan, in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Vinegar Hill, sits the new but already popular Hillside. Regulars have already grown to love the small communal and laidback feel of the place, which is known to attract a nice crowd at any hour, whether it be for brunch, lunch or dinner. The oyster bar here is also a favorite — come for oyster hours (Tuesday through Sunday, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.) for a half dozen oysters and a glass of Muscadet or a beer for $10. And no one seems to mind the waiting time spent in the vino den. Whether ordering by the glass or bottle, you will be pleased with the varietals from Italy, France, Spain, Croatia and more. The wines are best paired with the cheeses and cured meats.
Those looking for a more upscale wine tasting and dining experience should head to Eleven Madison Park, a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant. Its small bar fills up quickly and reservations are a must, but the surrounding leather lounge chairs make for wonderful spots to indulge in any one of the wines (including an I Love NY section of bottles from around the state) chosen by wine director Dustin Wilson. Eleven Madison Park is also celebrated for its cocktails, with the Sunset Park (Reposado Tequila, Cardamaro, Moscatel sherry, cinnamon and lemon) and Brujeria (Blanco Highland Tequila, Strega, Yellow Chartreuse, kaffir lime, green tea, jalapeño and lime) being our top picks.
The West Village’s Sweet Revenge appeals to the wine (and beer) lover with a sweet tooth. The specialty here is the pairing of sugary items with wine, such as the Very Strawberry cupcake (Mexican vanilla cake with strawberries and strawberry cream cheese frosting) with a Lunetta Prosecco from Italy or the signature Sweet Revenge cupcake (ganache-filled peanut butter cake with peanut butter fudge frosting) with a Region 1 Malbec from Spain. Brunch is a great option as well. Keep it sweet with Belgian waffles of the red velvet or Mexican vanilla variety, or go savory with the breakfast burrito packed with eggs, black beans corn and more.
Photo Courtesy of The Bourgeois Pig
