New York

The Empire State of New York is undoubtedly most famous for the ‘open all hours’ metropolis that shares its name. However, beyond the business suits and skyscrapers, lies a land of lakes and mountains with huge swaths of forest and agricultural fields, and a wine industry that is steadily growing in size and reputation. When asked to name an American winemaking region, the response is rarely anything other than California. And whilst this is somewhat inevitable, based on the area under vine, volume of production and international reputation of the west coast giant, it would be foolish to dismiss some of the smaller states, many of which produce world class wines. New York falls into this category, with a number of prestigious AVAs including those within the Finger Lakes sub-zone - an area renowned for its sought-after Riesling varietals, made in both dry and harmoniously sweet styles. This area also has the bragging rights of being home to the United States' first bonded winery - Pleasant Valley. New York’s first vineyards were planted by Dutch settlers in the seventeenth century but it wasn't until much later - after years of experimentation with grape varieties - that winemakers found the perfect fit for their terroir. The nature of the geography here, and the potential destruction of vines from frosts as a result of the relatively cold climate, dictates that the majority of New York's vineyards are found in close proximity to either the coast, the lakes or along the banks of one of the state's rivers. There are five key sub-zones:- Lake Eire and The Niagara Escarpment is the far northwest corner of the state, Finger Lakes - so-called for the eleven long, narrow (finger-like) stretches of water, west of the centre, the Hudson River region directly north of New York City, and the Atlantic coast of Long Island whose climate - influenced by the Gulf Stream - is quite in contrast to the rest of the region. So with such variance in geography and microclimate, it comes as no surprise to learn that a diverse range of grapes are grown throughout the region. Riesling dominates the cooler sub-zones of Finger Lakes and Eire, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay also prevalent in these areas, whilst producers in the warmer areas of Long Island favour traditional Bordeaux varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Additionally, a large number of American-French hybrids are cultivated across the region’s sub zones with some success. With more than 1500 vineyards, 400 wineries and 170 million bottles of wine produced each year, the New York wine industry is evidently booming. Continued momentum in recent years has also led to a surge of interest in the region from a wine tourism perspective. With an already established reputation for excellence, and a community of winemakers intent on experimentation and embracing new technologies, perhaps its only a matter of time before the state famous for its ‘big apple’, begins to shout about another fruit...

Overflowing with energy and stacked with famous landmarks, world-class museums and fabulous food, iconic, irresistible New York is like nowhere else on Earth.

Known as the city that never sleeps, New York is a constantly buzzing hive of activity; a melting pot of language, food and culture; an all out assault on the senses. There’s so much to see and do here that a single visit will never suffice; truthfully you could live an entire lifetime in the city and never run short of ways to occupy your time. From the lively streets of Chinatown to the tranquility of Central Park, the refined culture and luxury boutiques of the Upper East Side to the bohemian bars of Greenwich Village, the Brownstones of Brooklyn to the soaring skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan’s financial district, New York is a diverse, dynamic and ever-evolving metropolis without equal.

The first time tourist here will likely want to visit the iconic landmarks that make this city the world’s most recognisable urban area. But once you’ve ticked the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, etc, off your list, you can begin to experience the real magic of the Big Apple.

Cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot or by bicycle, catch the sunset from the Top of the Rock (the Rockfeller Center’s 70th floor observation deck), mosey through midtown. Shop for rare first editions and / or the latest bestsellers at Strand (the city’s famous bookstore that reportedly houses 18 miles of books!), load up on fresh food products at Chelsea Market. Ride the subway, walk the high line, marvel at the many famous artworks on display at the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art), the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) and the Guggenheim. Catch a ball game or a Broadway show, eat at arguably America’s best pizzeria - Una Pizza Napoletana, visit the Museum of Natural History, have a glass of wine at one of the city’s exclusive rooftop bars. Then bed down for the night before waking at dawn to do it all over again.

Attracting somewhere in the region of 60 million tourists each year, and with more than 100,000 hotel rooms to fill (plus countless B&Bs and apartment rentals), accommodation in New York is seemingly limitless. From boutique bolt-holes to sleek business abodes, luxurious period properties to super-chic design hotels, there’s something here to suit even the most fussy of travellers. At the luxury end of the market, The Aman - Manhattan’s most expensive hotel - stands out for its exquisite interiors and understated exclusivity. But there are literally hundreds of upmarket hotels to choose from all across town, including The Baccarat - a lavish design hotel by the well known crystal company, The Algonquin - famous as the setting for Dorothy Parker’s Round Table and believed to be the city’s oldest continually operating hotel, and The Langham - an opulent five star in a prime Fifth Avenue location. Outside of Manhattan, The William Vale, in the Williamsburg neighbourhood of Brooklyn, is noteworthy for its futuristic rooms, superb dining options and mesmerising views across the East River towards the Manhattan skyline.

New York’s restaurant scene is justly renowned as one of the best in the world. Like the city itself, the culinary landscape here never stands still, with a constant evolution offering up innovative new venues across the entire spectrum of cuisine and price-point. Whether you’re looking for a pastrami sandwich from a neighbourhood deli or a hot dog from a sidewalk vendor, Matzoh ball soup or a traditional New York bagel, a lively pizzeria in Little Italy or Michelin star dining in Midtown, the city’s 20,000 plus eateries are guaranteed to hit the spot.

Unsurprisingly there are more Michelin star restaurants in New York than in any other US city and countless more creative chefs vying for the highest order of recognition. Of particular note is three star Le Bernardin. A favourite on the New York dining scene since it opened in 1986, the restaurant serves exceptional cuisine with exquisite seafood dishes the chef’s primary passion. It also boasts an award-winning 15,000 bottle global wine collection overseen by long time wine director Aldo Sohm. Other restaurants notable for their food and wine offer include The Modern - a two star restaurant serving refined contemporary cuisine alongside a carefully curated wine list which includes a healthy balance of homegrown wines from the west coast states of California, Oregon and Washington, old world classics and emerging producers from across the globe, and Rezdôra - arguably the city’s best Italian restaurant - which aims to showcase the cuisine of Emilia Romagna and the wines of Northern Italy.

Much like its culinary landscape, the wine scene in New York is vibrant, diverse and constantly reinventing itself. From elegant natural wine bars to cosy neighbourhood snugs and swanky rooftop restaurants, whatever you preference for style or grape, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. One of the city’s best loved venues is La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, a dimly lit, atmospheric wine bar in Lower Manhattan. Its extensive French-focused list offers something for every palate and also includes bottles from Italy, Germany and Spain, alongside New York’s own Finger Lakes varietals. Service is second to none and, like many city establishments that smudge the line between bar and eatery, they also offer a delicious menu of small French / Mediterranean plates to complement the wines.

Viewed by many as the ultimate city break destination, it’s easy to see why New York continues to attract tens of millions of visitors every year. Just like Frank Sinatra, it seems we all want to ‘...wake up in a city that doesn’t sleep’. So whether you’re a foodie or a wine lover, an art enthusiast or a film buff, whether you’ve come to see the sights or hit the shops, to immerse yourself in its cultural attractions or indulge in its gourmet restaurant scene, New York is a wonderful kaleidoscope of colour and energy that will leave you itching to book your next trip.