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TJ's all the way. I buy $6 bottles there that are twice as good as the pricey $15 bottles on the Upper East Side. My current favorites are the Black Mountain reds (not to be confused with Red Mountain :). Have tried the Zin, Malbec, Merlot and Cab and they're all good value. While I don't drink the Shaw's anymore, they are quite the bargain. I once took a bottle of 2 Buck Chuck (it's $3 in NY, btw) to a blind wine tasting party. People raved until I told them what it was, at which point they started back-pedaling. Funny, I've never been invited to another party with that group.
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What is your definition of cheap? I am a big fan of Sherry Lehmann (59th/park). Surprisingly, they've got tons of inexpensive wines and a really helpful knowledgeable staff. I've gotten loads of stuff there between say $8-15 a bottle over the years along with a great inventory of much more expensive stuff. They also deliver for free in NY I think if you buy more than $150... Another option though they won't have as much is Morrells in Rockefeller Center. (49th between 5th and 6th). The staff there also knowledgeable--steered me to a nice Sicilian red last week for around $15.
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Well, good grief, Trader Joe's of course. Just now I checked for NY locations and the only one seems to be not quite Midtown, but is at 138 E 14th (Union Square)---it sounds like a dedicated wine store (most TJs have the wine right in the grocery store). But it's worth the trip. Buy a case and take a taxi back. Their house brand Charles Shaw ($2.99 in Chicago, I don't know in New York) has won prizes---there are at least half a dozen varieties---try the White Zinfandel and the Cabernet Sauvingon. My neighbor, who lived for years in Germany, buys a German champagne at TJ's for less money than he used to pay in Germany. We also like Dr Becker's Liebfraumilch, $3.99. Really, you can't go far wrong.
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