Best place to buy wine in NYC

[Ron Johnson]

During my trip to NYC in April, I intend to do some wine shopping for producers that are hard to find in my area. My preferences are Northern Rhones, Alsace, Loire, and Tuscany. In order to narrow my focus which wine stores would have a good selection of wines from these regions?

[Fat Guy]

. . . and Tuscany.

The best Italian wine store in the city, as well as the country, is Mount Carmel near Arthur Avenue in the Bronx:

http://mountcarmelwine.ibsmall.com/about.htm

[Steve Plotnicki]

I think that you will find that since Jeff Connell became the buyer at Astor Place Wines, the selection in Loire, Germany is superior and the selection in the Rhone and Burgundy is a notch below. Can't speak for the Tuscan section since all the regions mentioned so far are in the same aisle and I never make it to any other aisle. Otherwise, go to Chambers Street.

[jparrott]

Northern Rhones, Alsace, Loire

Chambers St Wines is the best Loire shop in America, not necessarily the broadest, but a great selection at all price levels, including the best selection of cult Muscadet. Chambers also has a good Alsace selection, including Boxler, Dirler, and Kreydenweiss, and occasional older vintages of N. and S. Rhones, in addition to a fine selection of current releases. It also is the best place I've found in America for buying interesting, cheap wines. 160 Chambers St., A train to Chambers St. Great staff, too--David and Jamie have excellent palates and don't try to sell crap.

http://www.chambersstwines.com

Note: I have no connection w/Chambers St. Wines, other than that they have taken a lot of my money :-).

Jake

[wingding]

If you have the time,jump on a train[or hijack a car]and go to Zachy's in Scarsdale[1/2 hour trip].It's worth the trip.

[Rail Paul]

If you have the time,jump on a train[or hijack a car]and go to Zachy's in Scarsdale[1/2 hour trip].It's worth the trip.

zachy's is on line Zachys Wines, so you can browse the catalog

the store is directly across the street from the Scarsdale station of MetroNorth's Harlem Line

[Bux]

There are lots of wine shops in NY and several that are really good either overall or for one thing or another. Let me add one more voice to the Chambers Street Wines recommendation for Loire wines. If you're serious about the Loire, David Lillie may be the prime guy to talk to in NYC. Chambers Street Wines contacts

[Robin Meredith]

Garnet Wines & Liquors used to be the Loire Valley specialist in NYC. Others may have surpassed them, but they still pay more more attention to Loire Valley reds than most other retailers, so if your interests lie in that direction they may be worth a look.

[jparrott]

Garnet Wines & Liquors used to be the Loire Valley specialist in NYC.  Others may have surpassed them, but they still pay more more attention to Loire Valley reds than most other retailers, so if your interests lie in that direction they may be worth a look.

Chambers has surpassed them. Better service, more interesting (and just as varied) selection, prices just as good, aisles you can actually shop in.

[SFJoe]

Chambers has surpassed them.  Better service, more interesting (and just as varied) selection, prices just as good, aisles you can actually shop in.

This, of course, is because the aforementioned David Lillie has moved from Garnet to CSW. Along with the sometime assistance of Robert Callahan, who still does the CSW site. Garnet still has some good stuff, but the deep expertise has moved downtown.

[mogsob]

Chambers has a very nice Loire list indeed. I am particularly fond of the Alliet Chinon VV, although the last vintage I've had of that bottling was the 1999. It is generally one of the best red wine values around. Chambers is a bit expensive for this bottle, which goes for less than $15 here in London (about 11 quid). Nonetheless, IMHO it drinks like a $40 bottle.

[dlc]

I realize that this thread is about Loire and Northern Rhones particularly but i have had great success with older vintages of Burgundy and Bordeaux at Royal Wine Merchants in the City. And Al Hotchkiss at the Burgundy Wine Co. used to have some real treats. I can't remember the name of the lady who ran the shop for Al.

Edited February 20, 2003 by dlc (log)