LONDON | There’s a reason that so many people around the world love a nice glass of wine with a meal – it just works and we’re not going lie, we love our wine. There’s a lot of choice in London when it comes to buying wine, so we thought we would put together a list what we consider to be London’s best wine shops. From stores in shipping containers to massive spaces, we’ve got it covered.
Newcomer Wines
Newcomer Wines is based in Shoreditch’s popup mall, Boxpark. It’s a unique space that is perfect for a fresh idea behind its “Austrian Wine Revolution”. Newcomer Wines works closely with growers in Austria to stock a new generation of wine growers. The space is very sleek and modern, very fitting of its young vibe as the place was started by students Daniela and Peter. The staff may be in their 20s but that does not mean there are not serious about their wines. We’ve enjoyed several fantastic several bottles from here including the 2012 Blaufrankisch from Groszer Wein.
Newcomer Wines
2 Bethnal Green Road
London E1 6HT
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 7447 512061
Email: n/a
Website: http://newcomerwines.com/
Borough Wines
As its name suggests, Borough Wines started in Borough Market in 2002. It has now expanded all over London and beyond. Borough Wines specializes in organic and biodynamic wines. We especially like its affordable and environmentally friendly system of beer and wine refills. When you buy a Borough Wines refillable 750 ml bottle for £2.50, you can return to the store and refill with a white, red, or rose that rotates about every 6 weeks at a great price of £5.50. We love this system as it minimizes packaging and bottle costs and maximizes the amount spent on producing the wine.
Borough Wines has locations across London including: Borough Market, Hackney, Stoke Newington, Kensal Rise, Clerkenwell, Hastings, and Columbia Road.
Borough Wines
Various Locations
Telephone: Differs by location
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://boroughwines.co.uk/
New Street Wine Shop
New Street Wine Shop always draws a big crowd after work with its location just off Liverpool St. New Street Wine Shop is part of the D&D group, a luxury group of restaurants around the world. It’s a unique space that allows guests to shop and sample unique wines. New Street was the first place we discovered an enomatic machine that allows you to try in quantities of 50 ml, 75 ml, and 125 ml before you buy. New Street has afforded us the opportunity to try some new wine varieties we had not seen before with its constantly changing selections. The changing wine list is complimented with a selection of high quality cheese and charcuterie.
New Street Wine Shop
16 New Street
London EC2M 4TR
United Kingdom
Telephone: 020 3195 9621
Email: [email protected].
Website: http://www.newstreetwineshop.co.uk/
The Sampler
The Sampler has been an Upper Street institution since 2006. The owners of The Sampler opened the shop with the idea of making wine unprentious and fun. The Sampler stocks an impressive selection of 1,500 wines, with over 80 available in its enomatic machines. A trip to The Sampler led us to uncork a love of Portuguese wines. The Sampler offers a monthly or quarterly wine club complete with tasting notes and food suggestions. In addition, the Sampler hosts regular tasting events featuring different regions and styles from wineries from all over the world.
The Sampler
South Kensington
35 Thurloe Place
London SW7 2HP
United Kingdom
Islington
266 Upper Street
London N1 2UQ
United Kingdom
Telephone: South Kenstington 020 7225 5091 / Islington 020 7226 9500
Email: n/a
Website: http://www.thesampler.co.uk/
Whole Foods Market
Yes it’s a supermarket chain but that doesn’t change the fact that Whole Foods Market sell fantastic wines. We happily travel across London to visit the wine selection at Whole Foods UK flagship store in South Kensington. A trip to Whole Foods for the weekly shop is a treat, rather than a chore. The store is extremely spacious and the wine selection is extensive. Friendly and knowledgeable staff are readily available to answer questions, and head wine buyer Samuel Bison really knows his stuff. They run really high quality tastings so be sure to sign up to their newsletter to keep an eye on in-store events. We recently attended a tasting to benefit that Whole Planet Foundation sponsored by Argentine winery Bodega Catena Zapata which features several impressive Malbecs from its high altitude vineyards.
Whole Food Market South Kensington
The Barkers Building
63-97 Kensington High Street
London W8 5SE
United Kingdom
Telephone: 020 7368 4500
Email: n/a
Website: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/kensington
Bottle Apostle
The first branch of Bottle Apostle opened in Victoria Park in 2009. Since then, the bottle gospel has spread across London. Bottle Apostle offer a diverse range of events across its 5 shops including Free Friday Tastings, monthly Mums tastings, and other events such as winemaker nights. In addition, Bottle Apostle works with restaurants near to its shops to ensure that restaurant goers have access to great wines for BYO offers. Bottle Apostle has won many awards and being noted as one of the best wine merchants in Britain.
Bottle Apostle has various locations across London including Crouch End, Victoria Park Village, Clapham, Primrose Hill
Bottle Aspostle
Various Locations
Telephone: Differs by location
Email: n/a
Website: http://www.bottleapostle.com/
We’d love to hear what you think about list. Where’s your go-to shop for wine in London?