On Friday night in Midtown, wine director Elena Rojas at Osteria Venti poured glasses of Slovenian Rebula for a table of regulars. The restaurant’s spring wine list features fewer bottles from France and more from Eastern Europe, South Africa, and the Canary Islands. Rojas said she has noticed interest rising for wines outside the usual French and Italian selections, especially as warmer weather brings lighter fare and outdoor dining to the forefront.
At Brooklyn’s June Bar, the chalkboard now lists an orange wine from Georgia and a Greek Agiorgitiko. Manager Samir Patel pointed out that supply chain issues and rising costs for European imports have also played a role in their sourcing. "We’re seeing importers bring in smaller quantities from places like Uruguay and Moravia," Patel said. "Guests are open to trying something new, especially if it’s poured by the glass."
Retail shops are reflecting the same trend. At Flatiron Wines, shelves display bottles from Hungary and Lebanon near the entrance. Staff say shoppers are looking for novelty, particularly for weekend gatherings and upcoming Memorial Day picnics. Prices for these lesser-known wines often start lower than comparable French bottles, with several options under $25.
The shift is not just economic. Restaurant owners say the move toward lesser-known regions also fits the mood of the season: lighter, more savory dishes, and a general appetite for discovery. Outdoor tables fill up quickly on spring evenings, and staff recommend sips from Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe or Austria’s Burgenland to match the changing menus.
Industry watchers expect this trend to continue into summer as more venues update their lists and as New Yorkers look for alternatives to the usual rosés and Chardonnays. For now, bottles from farther afield are finding space on local tables, one pour at a time.