366440 Wed Jan 31 22:01:50 -0800 2007 7 18 Manhattan 0 2248281 In LA I used to go to places (usually wine stores) that offered wine tastings on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for only $5-$15. It was usually only 4-5 different bottles and not necessarily any labels of note, but if it was, it would cost more than $15. Are there any places in Manhattan that has deals like this? I can find wine tastings but they're usually in the $40-$50 range. Wed Jan 31 22:01:50 -0800 2007 13764 panoz 1 2248885 Tons of wine stores have free wine tastings all the time. I know that's not very specific, but if you keep your eyes peeled when you're walking around, I'll bet you'll see notices for them. Thu Feb 01 07:14:53 -0800 2007 2248281 13730 quentin 1 2248935 Oh, Los Angeles--is there no limit to your tackiness? I guess this is part of the whole pay-to-play ethos, huh? I hope their pours were generous. Anyway, here's a couple of free options: Astor has tasting 3 (Th/F/S) or even 4 days a week. There's usually about 4 bottles being poured, it's free, and the stuff being poured is usually discounted. Plus they do booze as well sometimes. Best Cellars seems to have wine tastings (1-2 bottles) practically every day (but it's usually not good stuff). Free. Moore Brothers often has 3 or 4 bottles open at the back of the store that they'll be happy to pour for you. Free. Last weekend I was in Sherry-Lehman and some Bordeaux producer (sorry, can't remember who) was there pouring a $50 (or about that) bottle and a $210 bottle. You can imagine the crowd. There's nothing like watching upper east side matrons elbowing each other to get wine in a plastic cup. A couple of months ago I was in Otto on a dreary Saturday and they were doing a tasting of Piemontese wines there. I don't know if it was free, but it was pretty cool. It was more like a wine class and barely anyone was there. Moore Brothers also does wine classes at the store, and they're not too bad: $30-$40. I haven't been to one, but the price sounds really fair for a 2 hour deal. Thu Feb 01 07:25:34 -0800 2007 2248281 24818 jasmurph 1 2249015 And to the above I would add that Vintage Wine Shop in SoHo, on Broome St., serves reasonably priced wine tastings for $5...New York wines, and some very good choices. Love Moore Bros., too, excellent selections of European wines, mainly French and Italian. I've seen big lines form for free tastings at Chelsea Wine Vault, but here the selections are really hit-or-miss...it's whatever their wine distributors are seeking to push that day. And Appellation Wines on 10th and 21st does tastings fairly frequently, too, for free. Thu Feb 01 07:46:49 -0800 2007 2248281 42219 280 Ninth 1 2249024 http://www.localwineevents.com/New-York-City-Wine lists events going on all around the city and many of them are free in-store tastings. Thu Feb 01 07:47:42 -0800 2007 2248281 64404 downtownstefanie 1 2252257 Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I was able to attend the tastings at Morrell and Company at Rockefeller, Best Wines, and Astor Wines today. They were all free. But if tackiness means getting a generous pour, sampling wines in the proper order, and not needing to deal with the plastic cup nonsense, I don't mind paying $5. :-) Fri Feb 02 01:38:56 -0800 2007 2248281 13764 panoz 1 2252834 Vino on East 27th St often has wine tastings (Italian only) - they are having a tasting of Veneto wines on Friday and Saturday that are free. Crush (www.crushwineco.com) on East 57th Street always has a red and a white (sometimes two of each) for tasting during their store hours, and it's free. Cool tasting room. They also have free tastings; they post it on their website. I've gone to a sake tasting and also a wine tasting hosted by Top Chef Season 1 contestant Stephen. Fri Feb 02 08:06:24 -0800 2007 2248281 18732 BaronessCore 1 2269108 Just so you know Panoz, Moore Brothers always uses Riedel glasses for their tastings whether they are the free in-store tastings they have every day or for the classes that you pay for. I have been to their open house tasting in October and just this Tuesday I went to the German Wine tasting. It was absolutely fabulous. Greg Moore made the class very educational but fun at the same time. I highly recommend checking these guys out. I'm hooked. www.moorebrothers.com 33 E 20th Street Wed Feb 07 11:54:18 -0800 2007 2248281 72493 kackmo28