Italian Wine Merchants

(212) 473-2323

108 E 16th St (nr. Irving Pl.)
New York, NY 10003 40.7356 -73.9888

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Neighborhoods: Gramercy Park, Midtown, Union Square

italianwinemerchant.com

Hours:

11-7

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Wine Stores, Liquor Stores

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

What People Are Saying About Italian Wine Merchants

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Overview – Nestled on a quiet block on Union Square, it's easily one of the most alluring and justifiably appointed wine stores in the city. The floors are covered with antique Persian rugs, and the dark brick walls are handsomely lit with vintage chandeliers. In order to ensure the perfect temperature and storage of every bottle carried, you'll only see one of each on the shelves. – – The Appeal – At a wine store partly owned by Mario Batali, it's hardly surprising that all of the stock comes from Italy. Catering to wine enthusiasts and collectors alike, the broad…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Tastings happen on Saturday afternoons--call ahead for the schedule.
The Extras:
The Exploration Club sends three wines to your door each month ($344.95 for three months).
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. They keep the good stuff for themselves and make fun of people.
drinks
50.0% positive
  1. Giving each other looks and giggling when they sell bad wine.
  2. may not be a sommelier, but I know more than Joe Shmoe, and I don't appreciate being spoken to like an idiot and then given wines to suit my apparent lack of intellect.
service
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. Terrible service & Attitude
  2. Although eventually I did leave with an amazing Barolo it took so long to accomplish and I felt like the service was not willing.
  3. They keep the good stuff for themselves and make fun of people.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. Although eventually I did leave with an amazing Barolo it took so long to accomplish and I felt like the service was not willing.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/14/10

Great Cellar

by digver at Citysearch

Impressive! After many years in the California wine business I feel tough to impress, but, Italian Wine Merchants hit the cover off the ball. My wife and I went to an event there ..some of the best cuisine I've ever experienced, but, another story all together.

The selection of wines offers a wide variety of wines from all over Italy, (we left with a bottle of the greatest Teroldego ever), the staff contrary to what I've read is friendly and knowledgeable. The best part, they allowed me to browse, then answered questions when I had them.

Furthermore and most importantly to me, all of their wine is stored in a temperature controlled cellar below the store. Only one bottle of each wine they offer is displayed in the store. When you order, the sales person calls down an old fashioned dumbwaiter to the cellar; cellar temperature bottles return. Vital to the health of the wines and most importantly a near guarantee you are going to leave with wine in perfect tact. We've had so many bad experiences when buying wines retail ...cork taint, madeirization, or just plain cooked that it's tough to get your hopes up before the bottles are opened.

Italian Wine Merchants is definitely worth the price of admission and a very reputable retailer.

1 Star Rating: Poor

02/11/09

Terrible service & Attitude

by EdwinHochberg at Citysearch

Promised delivery for 1:30-2PM I am having a party. Called & 3:30 order going out in 5 min 4:30 still not rec'd Jerked me around for 15 minutes 4 people and owner. I am 10 min. away Told them I don't want to deal with them they cost me over $175 of my billing time, 3 calls & aggravation. Sergio the owner would not even consider an accommodation. Buy elsewhere where you can have a nice experience

  • Cons: Can't get the wine
3 Star Rating: Average

12/09/06

Do you want some snobbery with your Chianti, sir?

by ms_hayley at Citysearch

So when I walk into a retail store, I generally do not expect to have to pass any sort of test in order to be deemed worthy enough to purchase things. I may not be a sommelier, but I know more than Joe Shmoe, and I don't appreciate being spoken to like an idiot and then given wines to suit my apparent lack of intellect.

Oh - the corkscrew display is pretty, though. Go for the corkscrews (though who knows, they might make you demonstrate the proper bottle-opening procedure before letting you walk out with one.)

The Details on Italian Wine Merchants

Place Categories:

  • bad wine
  • terrible service
  • like idiot
  • amazing barolo
  • terrible attitude
  • pretty corkscrew display
  • nice experience
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