Wanda Mann

New York

Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Black Dress Traveler

East Coast Editor at The SOMM Journal

🍷Wine writer. East Coast Editor,The SOMM Journal. Bylines in Food & Wine, Decanter and more. Certified Specialist of Wine. Past President, LDNY

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Articles

The Wine Whirlwind: Benvenuto Brunello, Cab Franc Forward, Valentine’s Day

Feb 8, 2025 | wandamann.substack.com | Wanda Mann |Long Island

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.
Cheers or Tears: 10 American Sparkling Wines to Sip on Election Night

Nov 3, 2024 | wandamann.substack.com | Wanda Mann

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

Nov 2, 2024 | wandamann.substack.com | Wanda Mann

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

Oct 18, 2024 | sommjournal.com | Wanda Mann

by Wanda MannWhat elevates a wine from good to great?
Drinking Pink in Charleston

Oct 5, 2024 | wandamann.substack.com | Wanda Mann

Wine With WandaWine writer, traveler, presenter, and storyteller. No thanks
Virginia Is for Wine Lovers - Here's Where to Go and What to Drink

Sep 18, 2024 | travelandleisure.com | Wanda Mann

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

Sep 16, 2024 | wandamann.substack.com | Eric Asimov |Wanda Mann

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

Aug 8, 2024 | sommjournal.com | Wanda Mann

by Wanda MannTraversing 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

Jul 22, 2024 | starwinelist.com | Wanda Mann

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.
Gramercy Tavern - Star Wine List

Jul 22, 2024 | starwinelist.com | Wanda Mann

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.