Top 5 Wines of the Month (January 2026)

Hey guys!

Wanted to use this week’s newsletter to highlight the five bottles we loved most this month. It may have been the first stretch of 2026, but we still drank plenty of great stuff. Hope you enjoy, and would love to hear the best wine you’ve had lately 🍷

Location: Finger Lakes, New York

Cost: $24

I have a group of friends I drink Riesling with from time to time, and more often than not, it’s German Riesling. Still, I’m always curious to ask what their favorite non-German Riesling is, since so many other places make great versions, especially the Finger Lakes in New York. One friend firmly said that Apollo’s Praise makes the best FLX Riesling he’s had, and ever since, I’ve been on the hunt for it.

To my pleasant surprise, while shopping at Vinyl Wines on the Upper East Side last week, I spotted it on the shelf for $24, a price I’d happily pay. I opened it that night with dinner and can confidently say it lives up to the praise. Definitely worth trying if you’re into Riesling.

Location: Piedmont, Italy

Cost: $120

Roagna is one of the most respected natural winemakers in Italy, best known for their Barolo and Barbaresco. With some age, those wines can reach pretty insane prices. What I only recently learned, though, is that Roagna also makes white wine, specifically from Timorasso.

I’m slowly becoming convinced that Timorasso has the potential to be Italy’s answer to Chardonnay. There are some seriously compelling versions out there, and this is definitely one of them.

I opened this bottle after a long day of inventory at Marea in New York as a reward for all the counting. If you want to see how that day went, the full video is up on YouTube.

Location: Cornas, Rhône, France

Cost: $60

With the weather we had in January, richer, heavier reds were what we reached for most often. One of my standouts was this Syrah from Matthieu Barret.

I have a soft spot for these wines after visiting during harvest in 2024. Tasting them in the Rhône really sealed it, and I’ve been a fan ever since.

I drank this bottle at BabySips, one of my favorite wine bars in New York right now, and it was everything I want from a Syrah: deep olive brine and tapenade, balanced by a fresh finish that made me want to crush the whole bottle. This is Matthieu’s top-tier cuvée, but he makes a wide range of wines across different price points, all worth seeking out.

Location: Burgundy, France

Price: $100

This is one of my favorite light reds right now. Julien Guillot is one of the most influential voices in natural winemaking in Burgundy, and his wines consistently shine for us. We recently revisited his Cuvée 910 at Ho Foods in the East Village and were reminded why this bottle stands out as a favorite. It’s light and easy-drinking, but with enough structure and depth to make it compelling.

The story behind this wine is especially cool. “910” is a nod to the founding year of the estate, Domaine Clos des Vignes du Mayne. It’s a blend of Pinot Fin, Gamay, and Chardonnay, which is based on historical records of what was being grown and made on the property at the time. These bottles can be a bit tricky to track down, but I think Discovery Wines in the East Village still has some.

Location: Jura, France

Price: $65

Damien Guadagnolo is one of the true rising stars of the Jura. After training under Jean-François Ganevat, he launched his own project and has only recently begun importing his wines to the United States, news I couldn’t be happier about. He works with all the classics Jurassic grapes: Trousseau, Ploussard, Chardonnay, and Savagnin.

I had his Savagnin at a friend’s place this month and was blown away. Even at such a young age, the wine showed real depth, salinity, and the kind of freshness I love in Jura whites. They can be a bit tough to find in New York retail shops, but it’s worth asking at your favorite wine bar, there’s a good chance they have some tucked away.

This was an insane bottle of wine: a Crimean Madeira from 1936. I can’t even begin to describe the tasting notes, it was more of an experience than a wine. My good friend Jon generously shared this bottle with a few of us during a blind tasting night this month, and it’s one I’ll definitely be thinking about for a long time. I actually don’t even have a photo of the bottle, just the label.

Due to the East Coast snowstorm earlier this week, we had to delay shipment of the January Wine Club. Our sincerest apologies for the delay, your wines should arrive later this week or early next week. We really appreciate your patience and understanding.

We’re already planning a fun theme for February and are excited to start putting it together for you. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected] and they’ll help you out!

Not a member yet? You can sign up here

That’s it for the week! Heading to the wine fairs in the Loire this weekend and hope to see some of you there.

Thank so much for reading, and as always, drink responsibly! 🥂