It’s 6 o’clock in Dimes Sq. and everyone seems to be Dressed with a capital D. The temperature is New York-in-July, so the warmth comes from in every single place: the sidewalk vents, the automobiles, the solar overhead. It’s a Tuesday, however by midsummer, everybody is aware of that days of the week are irrelevant—Tuesday is to Sunday is to Monday afternoon. Which is to say, persons are out. And they’re ingesting.
Within the post-college campus that’s Dimes Sq., alfresco seating belonging to a lot of disparate institutions converges on the street, giving off the texture of an ever-present block celebration or a particularly tame music competition. Right here you’ll discover a full show of drinkers, all of whom radiate a singular sense of in-the-know mystique. And what, it’s possible you’ll ask, is of their glasses? Effectively, in the event that they’re not sipping Martinis (both soiled or espresso), they’re ingesting pure wine.
To get a greater sense of who’s on the scene—and what, precisely, they’re ingesting—we spent a night surveying patrons at three of the buzziest pure wine bars within the space. Right here’s what they needed to say.
Valentina, 25, works at Sony Music
Hayden, 25, works in software program gross sales
Vanessa, 22, scholar
Birgi, 22, scholar
What brings you guys to Le Dive?
Hayden: We reside on the Decrease East Aspect, and it’s Valentina’s twenty fifth birthday.
Have you ever been right here earlier than?
Valentina: Sure, I really like this place. I’m an enormous pure wine fan.
How would you describe your style in wine?
Valentina: I like it, however I don’t know the names of manufacturers, or grapes, or sorts of wine very properly. I like one thing that’s fruity and straightforward to drink, and slightly bit bizarre.
Hayden: Yeah, I’d say that orange wine is certainly my favourite. It’s essentially the most enjoyable. I don’t need something too candy, both.
What are you guys ingesting?
Valentina: One thing from Alsace—skin-contact gewürztraminer. Les Vins Pirouettes Orange Cubique François 2023.
What do you suppose?
Valentina: I feel it’s enjoyable and straightforward for summer time. Simply what we have been searching for. I just like the label, too. Do you wish to style some?
Kiki Hanh, 21, works in artistic consulting
Matt Lee, 21, works in artistic consulting
How do you two know one another?
Kiki: We’re colleagues, really. So we’re simply blowing off steam on the finish of a piece day.
Do you guys come right here typically?
Matt: We each reside downtown so we’ve been to numerous the bars proper round right here however that is our first time at this particular bar.
Do you guys determine as pure wine drinkers?
Matt: I actually suppose that pure wine is simply sort of a advertising factor. However I prefer it. I like ingesting wine basically. It’s simply sort of at all times there. Good to have round.
And what does your style normally skew towards?
Kiki: I like one thing with a very good, lengthy aftertaste. Undoubtedly one thing fruity, however I need it to be memorable. Sort of loud and upfront. Does that make sense?
What are you ingesting now?
Kiki: The chilled purple they’ve by the glass [La Grange aux Belles Le Vin de Jardin 2023].
Do you prefer it?
Kiki: It’s not, like, the perfect ever. However we’re three drinks in already so… who cares?
Samuel Armstrong, 29, bartender
Maria Owen, 26, artist
Carlos Nunez, 26, artist
The place within the metropolis do you guys reside?
Samuel: I really reside in San Francisco. I’m simply right here for a couple of days visiting my pal.
Maria: And I reside in Bushwick.
Carlos: Similar.
Do you guys frequent Le Dive?
Carlos: I’ve been a few times earlier than however I wouldn’t say I’m a daily.
And is wine your regular beverage of selection?
Carlos: It completely relies on the day. And the temper. And the time of night time. Undoubtedly by no means after 10 p.m.
Samuel: As a result of I work in wine, I typically crave beer and cocktails once I’m off the clock. I’m on Stage 3 of my WSET which takes up a variety of time. I’ve this enormous stack of flashcards with me… generally it feels good to take a break from wine.
And what’s your style in wine like, usually?
Carlos: I really like a dry and minerally scenario.
Maria: It actually simply relies on the vibe for me. There’s nothing I’m not open to. Perhaps that’s a very deep purple, or a light-weight candy white, or one thing glowing. I’m very agreeable.
What are you ingesting?
Samuel: This skin-contact gewuürztraminer they’ve by the glass [Les Vins Pirouettes Orange Cubique François 2023]. To be sincere, we don’t prefer it very a lot. Normally I consider gewürztraminer as actually expressive with numerous lychee and rose however that is simply pure wax. Method an excessive amount of VA [volatile acidity] for me.
Evan Sung, 34, meals photographer
What are we ingesting right this moment?
I drink no matter Karina [bartender] tells me to drink [Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme Thésée Sauvignon Blanc Loire Valley 2022].
What does it style like?
Hmmm… like grapefruit? Stones? Quiet resignation, possibly? Some white flowers? It’s obtained mild berry notes. Pleasure, ache, joie de vivre. I’m simply kidding, clearly. However it’s an amazing, chilly, acidic summer time wine for a scorching day like right this moment.
And would you say that you just frequent Pores and skin Contact?
Effectively, I used to be right here 12 hours in the past. Some would name that frequenting, however it was work-related. Usually, sure, I’m a fan. I attempt to come by if I’m within the space.
Inform me slightly bit about your style in wine?
Undoubtedly pure. I like quantity of acidity. I have a tendency in direction of reds and oranges as a result of I like slightly physique, and slightly depth. I spend a variety of time in Paris so I undoubtedly drink a variety of French wine however I actually adore Austrian wines.
Katie White, 38, works in trend
Are you an area?
I really reside in Woodstock, New York. However I lived within the metropolis for a few years, only a few blocks away on Allen. And I nonetheless are available in a couple of days a month for work.
What are you studying?
I’m glad you’ll be able to’t see it on digital camera. It’s, like, a seaside learn, true-crime thriller.
And are you ingesting one thing seaside learn–impressed as properly?
Truthfully, sure. I really like a traditional, Provence-style rosé. I do know it’s fundamental, however , chilly French rosé in the summertime is at all times glorious. Undoubtedly easy-drinking.
Are you a frequent wine drinker, usually talking?
I feel it relies on the season. I don’t actually know a lot—I’m no connoisseur. However I do usually similar to what I like. The pure wine scene… I’ve to be sincere, it’s not completely for me. I like my good, clear, dependable issues—for instance, a rosé like this one which’s easy and never too costly.
What are you ingesting?
Domaine Turenne Camille Côtes de Provence Rosé 2023. And it prices $14 by the glass, so I’ll take it.
Kirk Lawrence, 47 (“a younger 47”), content material creator
Do you reside close by?
I used to. I’m really from this space, initially. However I at the moment reside in East Orange, New Jersey.
While you come again, do you might have bars on this specific space that you just like to go to?
I prefer it right here as a result of I at all times style one thing new and fascinating — but when I’m searching for slightly bit extra raucousness, then I attempt to go to Double Down, or possibly Pianos if I need reside music.
And what’s your style in wine like?
If it’s a scorching day, I’m going for issues which can be lighter and fruitier, colder. If I’m consuming heavy meals, I really like deep reds. However particularly in the summertime, the cheesier aspect of me likes issues which can be actually candy. Perhaps even slightly crappy—like sugary white zinfandels. It’s what our household drinks at house so I’ve obtained a tender spot for it.
What are you ingesting proper now?
It’s an orange wine from Georgia, the nation. It’s an actual discovery for me, and I’d say I’m completely a fan. I’m on my second glass of it [Nareklishvili & Son’s Kisi Qvevri Kakheti 2019].
Tori Cho, 21, scholar
Lance Mesia, 23, hairdresser
Religion Chung, 21, scholar
How do you guys know one another?
Tori: Simply by means of mutual buddies. Some varied social gatherings. You recognize… how everybody meets in New York.
Do you all reside close by?
Tori: I simply moved out of the world. I reside in Williamsburg now.
Lance: I reside in Mattress-Stuy.
Religion: And I reside on the Higher West Aspect for varsity.
Are you guys large wine drinkers?
Tori: Sure, purple wine is certainly my beverage of selection. I feel it’s the perfect for my coronary heart. And my well being, usually. I prefer to drink it earlier than I fall asleep. Not each night time however generally… like twice per week, I’d say. It’s like melatonin for me. Plus, in case you’re not ingesting out with buddies, it’s an amazing addition to studying, or journaling, or drawing.
Religion: I feel I normally go for white wine only for the lightness and the fruitiness… not that I don’t get pleasure from purple wines. However once I take into consideration my style in ingesting basically, I feel I at all times wish to crack open an Asahi can and have it with sunflower seeds. However that’s simply because that’s a part of my cultural roots.
Lance: I agree. If I’m house, I feel I favor to make myself a cocktail. However once I’m out, I do love purple wine. We’re all fairly younger, so there’s one thing about ingesting purple wine that makes me really feel so grownup and so refined.
And what are you ingesting proper now?
Tori: Syrah [Clos des Mourres A Table Syrah Rhône Valley 2019], and all of us actually like it.
Jordan Mamone, 49, editor and fact-checker at theSkimm
Laura Vickery, “I’m not giving my age,” crossword puzzle editor
Have you ever guys been hanging out on the Decrease East Aspect for a very long time?
Laura: Yeah, we reside on Grand Avenue, proper by the East River, and we’ve been down there since 2006. Earlier than that, we have been within the East Village in several residences for, like… 14 years?
Have you ever been to Cellar 36 earlier than?
Jordan: We’ve recognized the boys who opened this place—and a bunch of the workers—by means of lots of the completely different locations they’ve labored through the years. Once we heard that Fernando and Nodar have been opening Cellar 36, it was music to our ears. We come by at any time when we will.
And the way lengthy have you ever been a pure wine fan?
Laura: He’s just like the grandfather of pure wine. Come on, go forward and say it.
Jordan: I wouldn’t say that. However… I began ingesting wine someday round 2002. I didn’t precisely realize it was “pure” on the time however it was low cost, not lots of people have been that concerned about it, and each time I tasted it, I simply thought it actually had soul.
Do you solely drink pure wine?
Laura: Effectively, I typically suppose it’s bizarre that we spend a lot time fascinated about what we put into our our bodies. However for lots of people, alcohol simply seems like an afterthought. Folks don’t take into consideration what’s of their wine. That a part of ingesting pure wine has at all times been comforting to me.
Jordan: There are many actually traditional Outdated World typical wines that I really like. I’m not a correct pure loyalist—and I’m undoubtedly not a die-hard zero-zero particular person. However on the similar time, I’ve a very excessive tolerance for VA so I’m hardly ever bothered by among the extra out-there stuff. That stated, by way of style, I don’t drink a variety of New World wines. Perhaps I ought to, however usually, it’s not what I lean in direction of.
What are you guys ingesting proper now?
Jordan: We’re a couple of glasses deep. We had this Tommy Ruff wine, which I suppose is a syrah, sort of made like blanc de noirs [Champagne] however with pores and skin contact [Shobbrook Poolside by Tommy Ruff Barossa Valley Australia 2018]. For a New World wine, I favored it fairly a bit greater than anticipated. We additionally had a really cool chardonnay and chenin blanc mix [Thomas Boutin Charabia Loire Valley 2020].
Chantal Michelle, “30-something,” visible artist, choreographer, professor
Beau Bree Rhee, “30-something,” artist
Do you guys determine as “pure wine folks”?
Beau: Sure. I imply, I’d say I drink wine. Typically. Fairly typically.
Chantal: Haha, similar goes for me.
And do you drink at Cellar 36 typically?
Chantal: I’ve some buddies who work right here so I attempt to come by typically sufficient.
Beau: That is solely my second time, however I’d say I’m a fan.
And what does your style in wine normally appear like?
Beau: I’d say if I needed to drink just one grape for the remainder of my life, it will undoubtedly be gamay. I’m a gamay woman. I prefer it chilled. I prefer it room temperature. I prefer it with any meals. It’s versatile.
Chantal: We’re within the canine days of summer time. I simply need one thing ice-ice-cold.
What are you guys ingesting?
Beau: A calming purple [Les Grandes Vignes Le P’tit Vaillant Grolleau/Cabernet Franc 2022].
Chantal: And a rosé [Hervé Villemade Cheverny VDF Rosé Pinot d’Aunis/Pinot Noir 2023].
Lily Sullivan, 29, author and model strategist
Do you reside shut by?
I reside in Brooklyn however I’m only a hop, skip, and a bounce over the bridge. It hardly takes me greater than quarter-hour to get right here.
And would you say that pure wine is your beverage of selection?
You recognize, whereas I like a grimy Martini infrequently, I typically attain for a glass of pure wine first.
And the way would you describe your style in wine?
I like issues which have a sharpness to them. And lately, I’ve been wanting issues which can be spherical and kind of honey-flavored, however not too candy. I drink a glowing wine at any time when doable. I’m at all times in favor of effervescence—something that packs a buzzy punch. I’m open to reds but when I’m ingesting a purple, I need one thing that’s lighter and brighter, whereas nonetheless being fascinating. Which is definitely how I’d describe myself.
And what are you ingesting proper now?
One thing glowing from Emilia-Romagna that [bartender] Alatz simply poured for me, [Il Farneto Rio Rocca New Player in Town Trebbiano Pét-Nat 2021]
Do you approve?
Completely. I really feel bubbly; I’m ingesting bubbles.
Sonny Stollman, 29, bartender
Justin Jones, 26, accountant
Are you a daily right here?
Sonny: I swing by at any time when I can to see my man, Alatz. I work at a bar close by, so we’ve obtained a pleasant little interconnected community of bartenders who work collectively and hang around collectively at any time when we will. Alatz has visited me so many occasions at Emma Peel Room, so we’re at all times making an attempt to get one another again.
Are you a “Wine Man”?
Sonny: No. I drink cocktails. I really like wine, I actually do, however I don’t know something about it in anyway. I simply have a number of buddies who’re very good about wine and I simply belief them to provide me the weirdest, most enjoyable factor they’ll discover at any time when the chance arises.
Justin: I historically drink beer. And I hated wine till roughly three weeks in the past once I began coming right here and Alatz began handing me issues.
And what have you ever favored to date in your wine journey?
Justin: From what I’m gathering, I haven’t actually favored as lots of the reds I’ve tasted however I’ve actually favored the whites. And I feel ingesting glowing wine is simply enjoyable.
Sonny: I do like studying about wine, however I feel there’s one thing good about simply trusting your mates who know higher than you. I’m blissful to be like, Jesus, take the wheel about my wine choice.
What are you ingesting proper now?
Each: Ask Alatz. [A chenin blanc and chardonnay blend: Thomas Boutin Charabia Loire Valley 2020].
