Best Wine Shops In NYC
And a few in Manhattan, too
You're on your way to a coworker's holiday party off a G-train stop you'd never heard of after clicking "maybe" on the Facebook invite. But (gasp!) you suddenly realize you forgot to take a drink offering. Instead of showing up empty-handed in your ugly sweater, detour to one of these tried-and-true wine shops before you arrive.
Bed-Stuy: Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits
Know what you like but can't exactly put a name on it? In Bed-Stuy, Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits lets your palate do the talking. The tidy, tiny shop is chock-full of wines organized by how they taste, not where they're made.
Carroll Gardens: Smith & Vine
The quintessential neighborhood shop relocated this year—but only two blocks from its original address. It leans toward hard-to-find varieties. That sounds like it'd be synonymous with high priced, but Smith & Vine is beloved for The Table, a selection of wines all under $14 each.
Greenpoint: Dandelion Wine
With a heavy focus on organic, biodynamic and natural wines, Dandelion Wine has been something of a beloved staple for more than a decade. A mix of New World wines and classics from France and Italy run as low as $10 a bottle.
Fort Greene: Greene Grape Wine & Spirits
You'll need some cheese with your wine, so stop at upmarket grocery Greene Grape, which has a designated staff for cheese and charcuterie. It's operated by the same people who run Greene Grape Wine & Spirits, where you'll find classic wines from both local producers and old-world makers.
Clinton Hill: Leon & Son
If it's fine to buy a bottle because it looks nice, then it's fine to visit Leon & Son for the same reason. But you're in luck, because the edgy shop backs up its looks with quality wines.
Crown Heights: Wino(t)
Wino(t) on Franklin Avenue was a first for Crown Heights: a nook for unpretentious wine fans with an appreciation for niche varieties. It's tiny but manages to supply a wide range of pours—from sparkling Swiss cider to Italian reds.
Tribeca: Chambers Street Wines
Go here because the knowledgeable owners stock wines they actually like—not just those the wine critics praise.
Williamsburg: Uva Wines & Spirits
The owners also opened up shop in Manhattan, but their original Williamsburg shop, Uva Wines & Spirits, has a choice location—a prime corner on Bedford—making it an easy stop for old-world wines.
Keith Flanagan is a Brooklyn-based food and travel writer—he's never met a pastry he didn't eat. Follow his every meal on Instagram at @keithflanny.