The overall quality of the wines from NY are uneven at best presently, but improving and there are some types that can sometimes deliver good value for the money. We still need to be realistic about our expectations on quality here as NY is far from an ideal climate to grow world class grapes.
The main problem that New York runs into in regards to its wine industry is that the native varietals to the region include names like: Niagara, Catawba and Concord. You probably recognize Concord from the Welch’s grape juice commercials that have been on television, in some cases since before we were born. Concord grapes, frankly speaking, don’t make very good wine. Well if you’re looking for a jammy wine that will typically come off like grape juice with some alcohol poured in, then you should be set.
Some of the better NY state wineries have gone to hybrid grape varietals like Baco Noir which are a combination of their native grapes and some of them Mediterranean varietals that we’re all more familiar with in terms of wine. The wineries in NY are forced to do this instead of planting Pinot Noir grapes itself because their winters are much too cold for many varietals to grow naturally. While these hybrids sometimes make good drinkable wine, they can also sometimes be poor as well. In this case it definitely pays to do your research before purchasing.
There are 3 regions each specializing in a different type of grape that I wanted to highlight as wines to try, if you’re willing to go out on a small limb:
1) Hudson River Winery – Chardonnay. Still not close to California standards on average, but the cool climates make for interesting taste combinations. You can sometimes find bottles at half, or a third, of California prices for similar scores. Again, do research before hand, we can’t yet suggest walking into a wine store and picking up any Hudson River area Chardonnay.
2) Finger Lakes – American Rieslings. In the far North West portion of the state (think between Buffalo and Syracuse) there are some interesting white wines being produced. In this case it does make sense to follow conventional wisdom and buy white wines from colder climates when in doubt. Look for Wagner Vineyards or Knapp which sell decent Rieslings for around $20 a bottle.
3) Long Island is definitely the most sophisticated of the wine regions in New York state. If you have to choose a NY wine off the shelf without any prior knowledge, pick a Long Island vintner. Interestingly Long Island is actually at the same latitude as Bordeaux, so they’re able to plant more standard varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc which are their focus. Unfortunately for the wine drinking public there is very little room for agriculture and the price of land tends to lead to overpriced bottles when new wineries come onto the scene. A couple of wineries to try would include Pindar Vineyards and Lenz Vineyards.
New York is one of the very few cities of the world which boasts of having some of the best hotels in the world. The city is famous for its large, popular and luxurious hotels and their five star services. Famous hotels of New York include St. Regis, SOHO, the Sagamore, Roosevelt Hotel and the Muse are just to name a few. The above mentioned hotels are known for their five star service and abundance of all types of incredible amnesties’. Another good thing about New York hotels is that many of them are situated near major city attractions such as Broadway, Central Park, Lincoln Center etc
During the on season it can be difficult for many tourists to find a place to stay if they haven’t booked their rooms in advance. This is why due diligence is imperative because it’s going to save you lots of hassle when you visit New York. You can also surf the internet for information as they are many websites that offer information on various New York hotels and their price packages. Many tourists prefer to live in hotel rooms where they have access to the balcony. In many cases a balcony is one of the most desired features of a hotel room; after all, New York’s skyline is a major attraction for international tourists. A balcony can also give you a good view of your surroundings plus a feeling of fresh New York air blowing though your hair as you stand at your balcony.
Now the thing about rooms with balconies is that they generally cost more than rooms without balconies. However if you are still interested in staying in a room which gives you a feeling of New York’s awe inspiring skyline then there are a few options from which you can choose from.
The Famous Muse Hotel
Now the Muse hotel has a number of rooms, each offering different views of the big apple. Visitors staying at the Muse will enjoy all the extra facilities that the Muse throws in such as Broad band internet, WIFI, an IPod docking station, a stereo system, and you also get a complimentary newspaper every morning. There are also magnificent common spas and in-room spa services for you to enjoy as well. Many of the rooms are also accompanied by flat screen televisions, pillow top mattresses, an iron and hair dryer etc which is not uncommon in luxury hotels of New York City. People who like to keep themselves in good shape will love the in-house gym which is available throughout the day without any extra charge.
The 60 Thompson
When in search for a hotel that can provide you with a top notch room with tons of facilities and a birds eye view of New York city then look no further than 60 Thompson hotel. The hotel offers facilities such as safe deposit box, self parking, tour desk and a café etc. The rooms at the 60 Thompson give you a great view of New York’s skyline something which will make your visit to New York a memorable one. The hotel also offers a number of transport facilities from which to choose from – all of these facilities are geared towards making your time in New York more enjoyable.
There are many other hotels for you too choose from in addition to the two mentioned above. However these are considered the best if you are considering a room with a view of New York’s majestic skyline.
