Fort Greene Wine Bars

Slow (Natural) Wine

629 Classon Avenue, 11238
Cross Streets: Classon Ave. & Pacific St.
Brooklyn, NY
718-857-9277

Hours: Tue-Thu 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-Midnight

Sister wine bar to natural wine shop Thirst Wine Merchant, Thirstbaràvin (a take on the French term for wine bar: bar à vin), will also specialize in “slow” wine (wines made by small producers with as little manipulation as possible; without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or other additives) and “scratch” food.

Expect a bar full of locals looking over a well-curated list of small production wines with a particular focus on Old World wines from famed importer Kermit Lynch.  All wines are made on a small scale from grapes grown in low-yielding vineyards farmed sustainably, organically or biodynamically. Which means the focus is on wines made by small, independent producers from grapes that have seen nary an herbicide or pesticide. The by-the-glass selection, priced from $8 to $12, changes regularly.

The chef, Ginevra Iverson, formerly of Prune, has designed a handful of small plate options, including fluffy, moist gougères (French cheese puffs) as bar snacks  ”Scratch food” is simple, fresh food made with seasonal, local ingredients-all from scratch.  Menu items are constantly changing, but there are quite a few small-plate options that made for good bar snacks, including oeufs mayonnaise (French deviled eggs). On a given night, housemade pork terrine might also be available.

Despite being steps away from several junkyards and just down the street from T&S Live Poultry, the space, though a little industrial and sparse, has some inviting cues with high ceilings, natural light, tables made from recovered hardwood and a handwritten chalkboard menu.  The owners are pleased with the location as it’s walking distance from the subway and close to their friends of the wine shop; and they believe the food, drink and atmosphere will keep people coming back.

Luckily, for these consumers, the bar will sell the same wines sold in the shop.  A true try at the bar, buy at the shop opportunity?