Sherry-Lehmann number one for Zagat

The most influential New York guidebook has published the definitive list of wine shops in the city.

Zagat Survey’s authoritative guide, New York City Gourmet Marketplace 2005, has named Sherry-Lehmann as its contributors’ favorite wine merchant.

The shop, on the stylish East Side, is called ‘a wine aficionado’s paradise.’ But it is not elitist, with ‘nearly 400 options under $10.’

The rising popularity of Italian premium wines is echoed in the second and third-place choices. Vino, near Gramercy Park and is ‘strong in southern producers,’ and the ‘beautiful’ Italian Wine Merchants, near Union Square, carries ‘new and obscure producers.’

The Burgundy Wine Company comes fourth. Located in Chelsea and specialising in Burgundy, Rhône and Oregon wines, it is, according to the survey, ‘in a class by itself.’

The ‘Chic’ fifth-placed Morrell & Company in the ‘sexy’ Rockefeller Center, is called a ‘veritable treasure trove of hard-to-find vintages.’

Acker Merrall & Condit, which is on the West Side and is one of America’s ‘oldest wine dealers,’ is number six. Its merchandise is ‘worth every extra penny.’

The ‘supermarket’ PJ Liquor Warehouse, number seven, in Washington Heights, in far northern Manhattan, is cited for its 600-label Spanish selection.

The number eight choice, Rosenthal Wine Merchant, is described as a ‘fantastic’ Upper East Side ‘boutique’ where the staff ‘knows you by name.’

Zagat Survey’s recommendations are made by public vote. Over 5,400 people gave their opinions of bakeries, caterers, florists, butchers, and other aspects of New York’s ‘gourmet marketplace’.

Written by Howard G Goldberg in New York