Daniel Eros Carnio, the founder and director of Oenofuture, picks out his favourite wine bars and shops in London.
Although the streets of London are full of bars and pubs, finding an amazing wine bar or wine shop with great service and a fantastic selection of wine isn’t easy.
The concept of the Italian enoteca has been on the rise in the capital for a very long time now. Today there are a number of outstanding establishments which specialise in serving fine wine from all over the world both to take away or drink in and offering premium charcuterie and cheeses from small artisanal producers to complement the wines and amaze the palates of their guests.
The cornerstone of these businesses is the knowledge and professionalism of the staff who can lead the consumer on a tour of some of the world’s most celebrated and more unusual corners. London’s finest wine bars and shops offer everything from Georgian wines to Chinese ones, as well as iconic wines from legendary producers in France, Italy and Spain. These establishments inspire and help their guests to delve deep into the fascinating world of wine.
So, which are London’s finest wine bars and shops?
Hedonism
Set in Mayfair, the Hedonism wine shop is widely acknowledged to have one of London’s best selections of fine wine and spirits. This is reinforced by their knowledgeable and friendly staff who will go out of their way to find exactly what you are looking for. They also have in-store Enomatic machines which allow customers to taste from a wide selection of different wines at various price points.
28-50 Marylebone, Maddox street
This impressive wine bar and restaurant is home to one of the best selections by the glass in London. Their very tempting and concise wine list features bottles from all over the world and offers excellent value for money. They also have a special Collectors’ List of fine wines which features stunning mature wines that are not usually seen on restaurant wine lists.
M wine bar
Part of the M restaurant, the M wine bar has a great selection by the glass and by the bottle. The establishment also features many fine wine available on their Coravin list which gives guests easy access to the most fascinating fine nectars without having to purchase a whole bottle. The restaurant offers discounted corkage on Mondays.
Vinoteca
There are several Vinotecas spread over the city with venues in Chiswick, City, Farringdon, King’s Cross and Marylebone. These informal wine bars are the ideal spot to spend time with family and friends, and they offer a good selection of value for money wines and some mature fine wines. Vinoteca also offer discounted corkage on Monday
New Street Wine shop
Part of the D&D family, the New Street Wine shop and bar is handily located just opposite Liverpool street station. The nice thing about this spot is that you can shop for wine while also enjoy a glass or two via their Enomatic machines. Here you’ll find wines from all over the world covering everything from classic Riojas and Burgundies to little-known Greek or South African wines.
Additional mention
67 Pall mall (pictured at the very top of the article)
A true haven for wine lovers, this private member’s club is dedicated to wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs. Housed within Sir Edwin Lutyens’ beautiful Grade II listed building, this unique spot offers exquisite interiors, old school top-notch service and a great selection by the glass served with Coravin.
