#wine-bars

#wine-bars

The drinks scene here has undergone something of a Renaissance, with the number and variety of options across the city blossoming. Of course, there are still the old school stalwarts that adhere to the traditional Italian idea of a bar-envision the quintessential all-day café-bar where you might stand at the counter for a cappuccino in the morning, grab a quick panino at lunchtime, or linger over an aperitivo after work.

For the past few years, we've been rounding up the best new restaurants in New York City as they open, with the sentiment being that anyone visiting the Big Apple can get a glimpse of our vast and diverse culinary scene by dining at a younger spot or two alongside the old-school institutions.

Instead of being dropped to a sober corner, a few nonalcoholic sparkling wines are listed right next to the German Rieslings and proper Champagnes, simply marked with an icon indicating their NA status. It's a way to give due respect, says co-owner and beverage director Jeff Vejr, and to note that these wines are delicious. They aren't necessarily cheaper than their boozy counterparts, either. "To dealcoholize wine is way more expensive than to just produce it naturally," Vejr says.

Beaujolais Nouveau is a simple, fruity red known for being the world's 'fastest' wine. It's a 'vin de primeur', best consumed as soon after harvesting as possible . It's illegal to sell 'Bojo' before 12.01am on Beaujolais Nouveau Day, so when that time finally does roll around, wine lovers rush to get their hands on a bottle and festivities erupt all over France and beyond.

Soon the crypt at St Mary-le-Bow will also be one of them as Humble Grape is opening a bar there this November. The church, home to the Bow Bells, was founded around 1080 (having been rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London) and you can see some of that rich history in the crypt, which has original Norman arches and a groined vault.

The reigning alpha of these dog days is Lei, from King partner Annie Shi, on the curving, pedestrian-only slip of Doyers Street in Chinatown.

Hudson Valley, N.Y. is becoming notable for its growing wine scene, while Detroit has established a strong community of wine bars like Ladder 4 and Bar Chenin.