Wanda Mann
Verified
As seen in:
The SOMM Journal,
MSN,
Yahoo Life,
Aol,
Substack,
Flipboard,
Yahoo Sports Canada,
Travel + Leisure,
Food & Wine,
Yahoo Style Canada,
Yahoo Style Singapore
and
🍷Wine writer. East Coast Editor,The SOMM Journal. Bylines in Food & Wine, Decanter and more. Certified Specialist of Wine. Past President, LDNY
Articles by Wanda Mann
Sip, Savor, Share: Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta 2026
Seminars, standout chefs, and a reminder that wine is meant to be shared. When I first started writing about wine nearly twenty years ago, I never could have imagined that one day I would step away from my keyboard and stand in front of a crowd for some in-person sipping & storytelling. I have to admit, it’s a thrill. Since leading my first seminar at a festival about five years ago, I’ve been honored to spread the joy of wine at gatherings across the USA.
No One Wanted to Leave: A Wine Evening With Elena, Federica, and Karoline
Italian Women in Wine: Castello di Volpaia, Tenuta Sette Cieli, Elena Walch Karoline Walch of Elena Walch, Federica Mascheroni-Stianti of Castello di Volpaia, and Elena Pozzolini of Tenuta Sette Cieli at the Italian Women in Wine Tour hosted by Wilson Daniels. Once upon a time, more than once, but thankfully not too often, I attended a tasting that went off the rails. Despite the glamorous setting, gourmet meal, and endless flow of trophy wines, the group wasn’t connecting.
Wine & words: Five books for your summer reading list
Wine With Wanda and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Bodega Cerro Chapeu is one of the wineries featured in the new book Wine & Travel: Latin America. (Image courtesy of Wine & Travel: Latin America (Assouline)).) One of the best things about summer break is that I finally have time to catch up on some long-overdue reading. It's probably no surprise that wine books occupy a fair amount of space on my reading list.
Cruel Summer rosé in a bag is truly delicious
“What is that in the refrigerator?” My favorite drinking partner is accustomed to wine bottles covering nearly every surface in my Manhattan apartment, but he was shocked by the shiny 3-liter pouch of The Walls 2025 Cruel Summer Rosé ($99) perched in the fridge. The equivalent of 4 bottles, the team at The Walls cheekily calls it a “Double Bagnum.” But don’t let its unconventional packaging fool you: Cruel Summer is a delicious, refreshing, and beautifully crafted rosé.
Dunk & swirl: Celebrate the NY Knicks with New York wines
Wine With Wanda and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. As a native New Yorker, born in Manhattan, I'm absolutely giddy that the New York Knicks are the 2026 NBA Champions. It's been a long road; the last time the Knicks won the NBA Championship, back in 1973, a subway ride cost 35 cents. (It's $3 now). In a city of more than 8 million people, and somehow twice as many opinions, we diverse denizens of the Big Apple have been overwhelmingly united in cheering on the hometown team.
Sip on Top of the World at 5 High-Altitude Wineries Worth Visiting Original
Buenos Aires and Mendoza may be better known; however, Salta, in northwest Argentina, is beloved for its rugged beauty and distinctive wines. Bodega Colomé produces its Altura Máxima (Maximum Height) range of wines from one of the highest vineyards in the world, which soars at 10,200 feet in the Calchaquí Valley. To get a lay of the land, book your stay at the winery’s nine-room boutique Estancia Hotel, ensconced among vineyards, lavender gardens, and the grandeur of the Andes Mountains.
The Little Wine Tasting That Could
Why the Judgment of Paris still resonates fifty years later Gather round now, wine friends, and let’s travel back in time, fifty years ago. On May 24, 1976, nine influential French wine experts participated in a blind tasting in Paris, organized by British wine merchant Steven Spurrier at the suggestion of his American colleague, wine educator Patricia Gallagher. Why are we still talking about the Judgment of Paris half a century later?
To truly savor sparkling wine, ditch the flute!
Wine With Wanda and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Free your sparkling wine from flutes! (Stefan Tomic via Getty Images) There's no denying the beauty of tiny bubbles dancing in a flute of Champagne. However, don't let the elegant appearance fool you; flutes are not the best vessel for truly savoring the aromas and flavors of Champagne and other sparkling wines like Cava and Prosecco. The flaw is in the design: flutes are too narrow and restrict the wine's aromas.
Learning about wine doesn't have to be stressful
If you’re reading this, I’m guessing that your interest in wine ranges from mildly interested to obsessed. One of the beautiful things about wine is that you’re not required to geek out to enjoy it. You can sip, savor, and keep it moving, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Wine will meet you where you are. However, wine has a way of grabbing hold of you and inevitably, the more you fall in love with how it tastes, the more you want to know about it.
Sip and stay: Sonoma's newly renovated Vinarosa Resort & Spa is a wine country gem
Vinarosa Resort & Spa in Sonoma, California (image courtesy of Vinarosa Resort & Spa) The only downside of my stay at Vinarosa Resort & Spa in Sonoma is that I was there for only one night. So I stayed up late to make the most of every moment of the experience. A few years ago, I stayed at this Santa Rosa property when it was called the Vinters Resort & Spa, and I was eager to revisit it after hearing that it was acquired by Jackson Family Wines in 2023, in partnership with Ensemble Investments.
Doctor, dreamer, vintner: Dr. Madaiah Revana's wines have heart and soul
Dr. Madaiah Revana "When I bought the land for what is now Revana Estate, I had only visited Napa Valley once before, back in the mid-1970s. At the time, I was a medical resident and took a bus tour from San Francisco. There were very few wineries then, but I felt a strong connection to the area’s agricultural landscape, having grown up on a farm in India.
7 sensational sparkling wines for springtime
Spring is in the air. So, what’s in your glass? In the same way that we lighten our layers for the warmer temperatures, it’s time to sip crisp and refreshing wines that capture the mood of al fresco dining, flowers in bloom, and more hours of sunshine. Here are seven sparkling wines that may inspire you to hum Here Comes the Sun while you sip.
Lex Yard - Star Wine List
When a renovation spans eight years and costs $2 billion, expectations run high. And now that the Waldorf Astoria hotel has finally reopened, in all its Art Deco splendor, the property’s Lex Yard restaurant is also the talk of the town. Helmed by award-winning chef and partner Michael Anthony, who also serves as executive chef at the iconic Gramercy Tavern, Lex Yard’s menu is a tribute to seasonal American cuisine that emphasises quality ingredients.
Arvine - Star Wine List
Photo courtesy of Arvine. Arvine Arvine’s casual yet chic vibes are everything you want in a West Village neighborhood restaurant: beautifully prepared food and a smart wine list served with warmth. Owner Adrien Falcon is no wine newbie: he hails from the Savoie region in France and was a finalist in the Meilleur Ouvrier de France sommelier competition.
Leon’s - Star Wine List
Leon’s The team behind the beloved Anton’s in the West Village has brought their impressive know-how for creating cool neighbourhood restaurants to the East Village. Located near Union Square, Leon’s was founded by spouses Natalie Johnson and Nick Anderer, and serves up Italian cuisine with French and Egyptian flourishes. Italian wine lovers will find familiar favourites on the list, along with a good selection of off-the-beaten-path bottles.
Cuerno - Star Wine List
Cuerno Mexico’s rich wine tradition has been woefully absent from most wine lists, but it shines at the upscale steakhouse, Cuerno. A lively, large restaurant near Rockefeller Center, Cuerno specialises in the cuisine of Northern Mexico and direct-fire grilling. It’s rare to find even one Mexican wine on most NYC wine lists, but Cuerno’s expansive list features an impressive selection of sips from diverse regions, including the Guadalupe Valley.
ilili Midtown - Star Wine List
Ilili Midtown ilili’s original Manhattan location in the Nomad neighbourhood is renowned for spotlighting Lebanese food and wine with elegant flair. Now, the recently opened second location has introduced the flavours to patrons in an energetic and elegant restaurant in Midtown East. ilili Midtown celebrates Lebanon’s long and rich wine culture with an impressive and diverse selection of bottles. However, ilili Midtown’s wine list is truly global, spanning France, Italy, and New York, too.
Keens Steakhouse
Keen’s Steakhouse In a city that too frequently kicks the past to the curb for the shiny and new, Keens Steakhouse is a thriving beacon of a bygone New York. Founded in 1885, Keens serves up its legendary mutton chops and steaks in a nineteenth century building filled to the brim with historical artifacts. The meat-centric menu is paired with a wine list dominated by robust reds, but Keens isn't afraid to venture beyond the tried-and-true varietals, regions and producers.
Fasano - Star Wine List
Fasano Fasano’s originated in Brazil, but nothing is lost in translation at its upscale outpost in midtown Manhattan. The sleek, sophisticated ambiance makes it a perfect setting for power lunches and special occasions. The menu features Northern Italian cuisine, and the expansive wine list features the most renowned producers from up north and throughout Italy. However, there’s no shortage of vintage Champagne and top-tier bottles from France, South America, the USA, and other regions.
La Tete d’Or - Star Wine List
A new opening from chef Daniel Boulud always draws a crowd, and La Tête d’Or is steadily beguiling diners with its chic French twist on a classic New York steakhouse. The restaurant's large and luxurious dining room and exquisite bar area demand a wine list that matches their opulence, and La Tête d’Or delivers with impressive selections from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy and France, including a delightful selection of bubbly.
Semma - Star Wine List
It’s understandable that snagging a reservation at Semma takes some patience: in 2025, chef Vijay Kumar was honoured by the James Beard Foundation as Best Chef (New York State), and The New York Times declared Semma the “No. 1” restaurant in New York City. Chef Kumar refuses to water down his authentic southern Indian cuisine, and his food sings with nuanced layers of flavour and spice.
Anton’s - Star Wine List
Anton’s (Sample Wine List) Culinary power couple Nick Anderer and Natalie Johnson have created a cocoon for wine lovers in their cosy West Village restaurant. This unpretentious neighbourhood spot doesn’t take any shortcuts in the kitchen – or the wine list. The impressive selection of bottles from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the USA, and beyond includes well-known regions and off-the-beaten-path treasures that pair effortlessly with the menu of European-influenced American dishes.
Wanda Mann
Wanda Mann is a New York-based writer specializing in food and dining, metro New York, and travel. Her work has appeared in publications including The SOMM Journal, Food & Wine, and Decanter. About Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure, a People Inc. Brand, is a top travel media brand with a mission to inform and inspire passionate travelers.
Sipping That Summer Feeling
The last fleeting weeks of summer evoke the same melancholy I feel when I’ve reached the final sips of a beautiful wine. Where did the time and wine go? Well, I may not have the power to extend leisurely summer days, but I can keep that carefree vibe going in my wine glass. Here are three sips that will ease the transition to a frantic fall. Wine often gives us the gift of time with others, so buy a bottle and share the love.
It Takes a Lot of Beer to Make Good Wine
When it comes to crafting their signature cuvées, winemakers opt for different grape varieties, barrel types, and aging regimens. Yet there seems to be universal consensus with the adage “it takes a lot of beer to make good wine.” Why do so many wine pros reach for beer after a day of tasting? “It’s a great change of pace; it’s bubbly, cold, and less acidic.
Wanda Mann
Full Pour In California, craft beer and wine are both power players, but a refreshing beer at the end of the day seems to be a popular thirst-quencher whether your line of work is fermenting grapes or grains. Read More
Sips & Pieces: Small Talk with Substance, Refreshing Wines, Chic Wineglasses
Even when wine isn’t in the room, it can be the center of conversation. Whether I’m chatting with an unknown seat mate on a flight or reconnecting with an old classmate at an alumni event, when I’m asked the inevitable question ”What do you do?”, my reply of “Wine writer” often elicits a great deal of interest and the questions start flowing: How did you become a wine writer? (Accidentally) What’s your favorite wine? (Impossible to choose just one.) Can you recommend a wine to pair with my dinner?
The Thing About Tasting Notes
Mamma mia, where does the time go? Summer is flying by. After weeks of non-stop travel, I’m relishing the opportunity to wind down and relax. And on these sticky and sweaty New York days, I find myself sipping a lot of rosé. Forgive me for sounding like a broken record, but here I go again: Rosé can and should be enjoyed all year-long, but there’s no denying that pretty pink wines are a perfect match with the summer season.
How This Sommelier Is Creating More Career Opportunities for Wine Professionals of Color Original
Credit: Courtesy of Cary Wilton Wine is championed for its capacity to bring people together, but the industry is also notorious for gatekeeping who is invited to raise a glass at the proverbial table. Could the days of the old boys’ club be numbered, though? They will be if Alicia Towns Franken, executive director of Wine Unify, continues breaking down barriers: “We welcome people of color to the industry; we elevate them; we amplify their voices,” she says.
The Wine Whirlwind: Benvenuto Brunello, Cab Franc Forward, Valentine’s Day
Dare I say we wine professionals in the New York area are a bit spoiled? There's never a shortage of top-tier wine events and opportunities to connect with some of the world’s best winemakers. Last week, I attended two fantastic tastings in Manhattan, Benvenuto Brunello and Cab Franc Forward. Benvenuto Brunello is always a highly anticipated event; wine professionals clamor for the chance to taste the newly released vintages of Brunello di Montalcino.
Luxe Sips for the New Year: 5 Exceptional Champagnes
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published I took a deep dive into luxe Champagne with 7th generation vintner Mathieu Roland-Billecart of Champagne Billecart-Salmon. Visit Instagram for more details on our tasting. Is expensive wine worth it? This question pops up almost every time I lead a wine tasting. My response: Sometimes. Like anything in life, a wine is worth what you’re willing to pay for it.
Cheers or Tears: 10 American Sparkling Wines to Sip on Election Night
To call election season stressful is the ultimate understatement. Based on the current political polls, the only certainty is that we could all use a drink! Napoleon Bonaparte famously said, "In victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat, you need it." J'adore Champagne, but I'll be sipping on American bubbly for the election of the 47th President of the United States of America.
There's Always Time for Don Melchor
About a decade ago, I tasted Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignonfor the first time. I had no idea that I was being introduced to a Chilean icon. I approached Don Melchor without expectations and was immediately captivated by its beauty, complexity, and drinkability. Once I started investigating, I learned that Don Melchor debuted with the 1987 vintage and that Don Melchor 1988 was the first Chilean wine recognized by Wine Spectator as one of the Top 100 Wines of the World.
Livio Felluga Goes for Greatness With Its Single-Varietal, Single-Vineyard Wines
by Wanda Mann What elevates a wine from good to great?
Drinking Pink in Charleston
Wine With Wanda Wine writer, traveler, presenter, and storyteller. No thanks
Virginia Is for Wine Lovers — Here's Where to Go and What to Drink
Continue reading More for You
Virginia Is for Wine Lovers — Here's Where to Go and What to Drink | Flipboard
"This 18-year old will not go waste" - Amanda Balionis thanks bourbon brand for 'spoiling' her Amanda Balionis is back to covering the NFL after a long season of golf. The CBS Sports reporter recently announced that she has shifted her focus to …
Virginia Is for Wine Lovers - Here's Where to Go and What to Drink Original
If someone shouted "Virginia" in the middle of a word-association game, “fine wine” might not be your first response. Even some of the state’s winemakers confessed to me that they had, in the past, found many Virginian wines forgettable — or, in some cases, undrinkable. Oh, how times have changed. Being an underestimated wine region for so many years has turned out to be one of Virginia’s superpowers.
Unexpected Pairings
In love and wine, unlikely pairings are often the most intriguing. Of course, the stakes are higher in matters of the heart, but when it comes to food & wine, the risks are minimal if you play the field a bit. Classic pairings, like Chablis and oysters, are tried and true, but discovering delicious new combinations is part of the fun. Go ahead and break the rules; you may find a new perfect match for your palate. Cheers! Steak and rosé?
Pio Cesare Enters a New Chapter in Piedmont With Federica Boffa Pio at the Helm
by Wanda Mann Traversing Piedmont in a bouncy van with Cesare Benvenuto Pio behind the wheel and his cousin Federica Boffa Pio riding shotgun, I sensed that there’s no other place in the world where the fifth-generation vintners of Pio Cesare would rather be.
Tomiño Taberna Gallega
Tomiño Taberna Gallega Only in New York could you find a Galician tavern on the border of Little Italy and Chinatown. Founded by three brothers, Phil, Marco, and Victor González, with roots in Galicia, since opening in 2017, Tomiño has become a beloved spot for Spaniards craving the seafood-driven cuisine of this region in northwest Spain and for everyone in search of something deliciously different.
Balthazar Restaurant & Bakery
Balthazar Restaurant & Bakery It may have opened in 1997, but this buzzy Soho hotspot remains the often imitated blueprint for transporting the essence of a Parisian bistro to the Big Apple. For wine lovers, it’s worth braving the crowds who clamor for one of Balthazar’s red leather banquettes to live out their Sex and the City fantasies or stuff their faces with the famous frites.
Il Gattopardo - Star Wine List
Il Gattopardo For fine wines and cuisine served in a historic Manhattan setting, Il Gattopardo is hard to beat. Located across the street from the Museum of Modern Art, this elegant temple to Italian culinary traditions is housed in the landmarked 19th-century Rockefeller Townhouses. A popular spot for power lunches and cozy dinners, the wine list is a veritable greatest hit of Italian wines, from north to south.
Monterey American Brasserie
Monterey American Brasserie One would never confuse Midtown Manhattan’s concrete streets with the beachy vibe of Northern California. Still, the coastal blues and pops of yellow in Monterey’s expansive dining room bring a certain left-coast chill to the Big Apple. Since opening in 2022, this energetic and elegant restaurant has garnered a loyal following for Chef James Tracey’s bold American cuisine; the menu features everything from dry-aged steaks to lavish seafood towers.
Tatiana by Kwame Onwauchi
Tatiana by Kwame Onwauchi Respected sommelier Amy Racine consulted award-winning chef Kwame Onwauchi on the small but mighty wine list for his critically acclaimed restaurant, Tatiana, named after his beloved sister, at Lincoln Center. Onwauchi’s exciting menu pays homage to the foods and flavors he loved growing up in the Bronx: Italian bakeries, Chinese takeout, Caribbean roti shops, and corner bodegas.
Corkbuzz - Star Wine List
Corkbuzz When you enter the doors at Corkbuzz, you don’t have to wonder if the owner actually knows anything about wine; Laura Maniec is a Master of Wine. Maniec opened up Corkbuzz in 2011 near the energetic Union Square, and this full-service restaurant with wine at the heart of the menu remains a top spot for wine lovers. The eclectic list takes drinkers around the world to both famous and up-and-coming regions.
Kafana - Star Wine List
Kafana An ode to the taverns of his native Serbia, owner Vladimir Ocokolji serves up hearty portions of homestyle cooking in this gritty but hip stretch of the East Village. A beloved favorite of locals hailing from the countries that formerly formed Yugoslavia, over time, word began to travel among wine lovers of all stripes about Kafana’s impressive list of wines from Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Austria, too.
Scalini Fedeli - Star Wine List
For twenty-five years, Scalini Fedeli has held court in an elegant 19th-century building in Tribeca. Chef Michael Cetrulo’s soulful Italian cuisine continues to draw a loyal clientele, and the prix-fixe menu remains one of the best fine dining deals in town. The graceful, vaulted ceilings and soft lighting make Scalini Fedeli one of the most romantic dining rooms in NYC, yet also spacious and accommodating for celebratory groups and business dinners.
Gramercy Tavern - Star Wine List
Gramercy Tavern Surviving in New York's competitive restaurant scene is no easy feat, but Gramercy Tavern is thriving at thirty years old. Gramercy Tavern's timeless rustic chic vibe and wood-fired cooking have outlived many dining trends. All these years later, it's still tough to snag a table without a reservation, and it's best to show up early if you want a seat at the bar.
Sartiano’s - Star Wine List
Sartiano’s Located inside Soho's trendy Mercer Hotel, at first glance, Sartiano's seems almost too cool; you may wonder if everyone is a model. But Sartiano's is more than just a pretty place; you'll breathe a sigh of relief when you dive into the killer wine list composed by beverage director Cameron Nadler. Leaning into the menu of modern Italian cuisine created by award-winning Chef Alfred Portale, the list showcases impressive selections from throughout Italy.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Wanda
Contact Wanda, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack