Great Wine in the Village: Sipping Along Sixth

You’re on your way to a holiday party, but your hands are conspicuously empty. Or you’re hosting friends for a festive gathering…and your cupboard is disappointingly dry. Few things can replace the festivity of a good bottle of wine during the holiday season. 

A stroll down Sixth Avenue will solve all your worries this Holiday season. We walked into each shop below and asked: What are some great bottles to share with others? 

Here’s what we found, for every price range, and every taste. All prices listed are as of November 2024.

Sangpil Bae has been running Waverly Wines and Spirits with his brother since 1989, caring for the shop and guiding customers toward the perfect bottle. For our mission, Sangpil brought out a few choice bottles for our guide: in the 20-dollar price range, a full-bodied and dry 2016 Chateau Cardus Medoc, and for a step above, a 2015 Chateau Coutelin-Merville Saint Estephe—a rich, fruity bottle with a depth of fruit and berries, some floral notes, and a touch of leather.

Both are great with meaty dishes. Generally, Sangpil is a fan of French and Italian wines. His personal favorite? A Moillard Pommard Premier Cru, a Burgundy for very special occasions.

A look around the shop will reveal more than just an excellent variety of wines—there’s something unique going on with the lighting throughout the shop. Sangpil Bae makes his own lamps, upcycling uncommon objects like vintage arc lamps and an old fireman’s hose nozzles into captivating light fixtures. You can find them for sale at chimerawatts.com.

The staff at Village Vintner has a philosophy towards wine that guarantees a good time—go for things no one has had before. Think interesting geographies, different varietals, or twists on familiar wines, like the Garzón Tannat 2022 Reserva—an under-$20 pick that brings the interesting experience of trying a French grape grown in Uruguay. Village Vintner carries Croatian wines (an up-and-coming production area), and limited-run Armenian wines made with Iranian Grapes. You can’t go wrong looking for wines that are different—if you’re going to a party, bring something that doubles as a conversation starter.

Natural wines are interesting, but as a result, are starting to become very well known. They’ll be happy to guide you towards something that stands out, like the Channing Daughters Ramato orange wine, produced out on Long Island. Everyone’s going to bring a Montepulciano or Cabernet Sauvignon—here are some key tips from the staff on bringing a great pick:

Village Vintner has been open since 2015, but is just the latest in a long chain of liquor stores at this location—the store itself has existed since pre-prohibition. This landmarked storefront is an excellent stop for wine, with an incredibly passionate and knowledgeable staff.

Find Edgar at Village Wine and Spirit for a quick and easy stop for wine and spirits. His first thought? Start with a good red. He recommends Bonanaza, a California cabernet sauvignon going for an approachable $22.99 a bottle. Made by winemaker Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards, this bottle stands up to comparable bottles that fetch $120 or more. He also recommends Unshackled by Prisoner Wine Company, another California cab. For an old-world option, Edgar is ready to point you toward some Italian reds—his favorites include Brunellos.

For whites, the popular Decoy and Rabble are good bets according to Edgar. Also from California, these sauvignon blancs land an approachable price point while holding a fetching flavor, keeping you “cool, refreshed, and always wanting more”. Or go with Champagne for the holiday! A great one, for a special occasion. Edgar recommends Perrier-Jouët, a grand brut Champagne more unique than something familiar like Moet.

Another option from Edgar: if wine isn’t your thing, no one will be sorry about a nice bourbon like Buffalo Trace, or a tequila in the holiday rotation—reach for his picks of Fortalexo or Ocho.