Blind dates are “matching” to blind wine tasting—think (skin) contact between two who have not previously met. Both “sightless” experiences allow you to enter open-mindedly with the ability to learn and laugh… over wine.

 

“The blind [wine] tasting experience is designed to be fun, enjoyable—not competitive—at the same time, it is incredibly informative and educational,” mentions A.J. Ojeda-Pons, vine mastermind at Temperance Wine Bar.

Playfully test the palate of your date (or your ‘mate) with a blind glass or flight of unfamiliar wines at one of these 4 New York City wine bars. Consider color, characteristics, and more before making your final tasting decision.

Temperance Wine Bar

Temperance Wine Bar is a gleaming, guzzling wine bar in West Village.

 

 

Sarcasm is built into the bar name as “Temperance” means abstinence from alcoholic drink. Though, abstaining is the last thing guests want to do in the retro rooms with a hundred-something-by-the-glass wines carefully curated by certified somm A.J. Ojeda-Pons (The Lambs Club, Mercado Little Spain).

 

 

“[Temperance] is a place where wine—mystic and mysterious—can be appreciated, enjoyed, dissected, put back together… and where old rules and norms are eschewed, and team members and guests always leave learning something new,” Ojeda-Pons describes.

 

 

Interactive guests can select the blind tasting flight consisting of four half-glasses of “mainstream international” single varietals not on the current menu. If guests gauge all four individual grapes, the flight is free. If guests locate the origin of each grape, a complimentary glass is poured. Cheating is impossible as each wine is re-poured into basic bottles marked with numbers.

“It is [also] fun for the novices that are excited to step up to the challenge,” Ojeda-Pons closes.

 

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

 

 

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels est un offshoot of La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels (a renowned vin bar in Paris) set in Little Italy. Some describe the Centre Street spot as “rustic-chic,” others “moody” – regardless, the wine list leans French with mouthwatering bites like cacio e pepe popcorn and black truffle grilled cheese in tow. Among the generous by-the-glass options stands a Mystery Wine where competitive guests can guess the white or red grape variety for a chance to win the 750ml.

 

 

Interested in high intensity interval training drinking? Wine Boot Camp tasting classes happen on a weekly basis by sommelier “instructor,” Vitalii Dascaliuc. They are one hour long and include four tasting-size sips and one nibble.

 

Corkbuzz

Corkbuzz is a series* of “wine-centric restaurants” run by master sommelier, Laura Fiorvanti. Sure, call it a wine bar since it features unusual vintages alongside small plates. The short food list is built to pair seamlessly with the (20-plus-page) beverage menu, so ask away. On-site somms can guide guests through all aspects of wine and assist in selecting pairing plates, too.

 

 

Essentially, they are ordering the tasting experience with Three Blind Wines—that is three pre-selected white or red wines to swirl, sniff, sip… and snack on complimenting cheese and charcuterie. This blind take showcases Corkbuzz’s versatility and passion for pouring.

The somm team hosts online and on-site private and public wine sessions, including winemaker dinners and classes of varied varietals.

*Two locations in Manhattan: Union Square and Chelsea. Bottles for every plate, palate, and wallet!

 

Sauced

Sauced is a relaxed (menu-free) wine hangout in Williamsburg.

 

 

You heard me, there is no written or printed menu available allowing acclaimed wino Jordan Veran to greet guests and request palate preferences to curate a personal (blind) wine line-up based on what they are looking for. He wants guests to feel less intimidated by new wines that they might not be familiar with, and so, he hand-picks and pours natural, organic, and biodynamic bottles from unrecognized winemakers and regions.

 

 

There is live music, karaoke, and DJ nights inside and ping pong, backgammon, and other lawn games outside in the backyard – just avoid the heaving drinking “blind.”