Well after a relatively strange 12-mths in Singapore, it seems I am headed further away from the wide brown land and I am now moving to London at the end of this month.
On the downside, there is much higher taxes (much, much higher ) and bad weather.
On the plus side, I can finally avail myself of European wines at the prices they are meant to be. And Paris will be only 2.5hrs away by Eurostar
If anyone has any helpful wine tips / suggestions / recommendations etc etc feel free to dump them here...
Another forum member, Quaffer, is heading to London later this year as well. He may be a good partner in crime! If you can't PM him, I have his mobile number, just PM me.
And when you need a well priced European wine immediately, I used a terrific shop called "Uncorked" in Bishopsgate, right next to Liverpool St station. The quality of wines there, and the prices they charge made a tax-battered Australian weep.
via collins wrote:And when you need a well priced European wine immediately, I used a terrific shop called "Uncorked" in Bishopsgate, right next to Liverpool St station. The quality of wines there, and the prices they charge made a tax-battered Australian weep.
And they're probably one of the more expensive stores in London! They often have interesting wines on tasting on Fridays.
Planet of the Grapes have a good range and a great bunch of guys. The have x2 wine bars in London (the one at Bow Lane behind St Paul's cathedral is pretty good and they put on some good wine dinners) and have a very rustic wine shop (near Holborn station) with some good stuff from all over the world ... lot's of bin end stuff that the major wine distributor's want to get rid of. A few years back picked up some old vintages of Jack Mann for 30 quid a bottle! Friday afternoon's they usual open up some good stuff and serve to anyone walking in ... the 1989 Mouton Rothschild from Magnum was a highlight!
Fair call Andrew, I didn't have time to shop around - it was local, and impressed the heck out of me with service. But as we know, take the WET out of the equation, and all prices are suddenly magical
Hi, I have lived in london for sometime between 2003-2008 on and off. Best bargain I had there would be at the Fine Wine Section at the Tesco in Earl's Court. ( Meant to be Australian town in London) I bought Grange 6 bottles of 1999 and 3 bottles of 1998 all for 70 British Pound. ( around 200 aussie dollar at that time ) They were always 100 Pound but once or twice a year they have 30% off wine of their entire range. They were selling chateau Margaux 1999, mouton 1996 for around 100 pound. I bought both but went back to exchange it to the Grange 1998 knowing I will be returning to Australia and 1998 was very respected by so many wine critics. (bad mistake) Majestic wine Merchant sold RWT for 40 pound regulary. ( Problem with Majestic is they don't sell single bottle. Must buy 12 bottle) Bin 389 was flogging at the most of the Tesco store nation wide. They were regulary 14-15 pound and off course with 30% off, it is rather much cheaper than Australia. One makes wonder, how many bin 389 is made, to be distributed nation wide in UK. ( I did enjoy 2002, but not 2003). Penfold has lost respect for me, for how they are floggin their top wines at half price than australia. I have drunk quite few Grange, and sold few and not impressed. More of Iconic Value I guess for special ocassion. Not worth the money, recently sold 3 1998 grange and I have to say I am very happy. Anyway, Tesco have few other Fine Wine section of the Store around London. But I never known where they were.
Jeroboams shop is widely distributed around London. They have Bin ends in December. Also some shops have bin ends whenever. Great bargains to be had especially Burgundies. From memory I picked up david duband nuits st georges, village wine for 10 pound. rossignol trapet gevrey chambertin for around 15 pound.
Nicholas Wine shop is also worth looking out for. It is another chain specialize in the French wine. Exactly same shops are everywhere in France I heard. I have visited one in Paris also. They have some good range of reds from South west of france. Madiran and Cahors are some of bargain wines from France. Mostly made from Tannat and Malbec grapes. Supposedly most healthiest wine region in the world. Much more polyphenol antioxidants than australian reds apparently.
Harrods has great Fine wine shop in the basement level. They had free tasting every saturday afternoon. Highlight was pauillac tasting of Petit Mouton, Chateau Clerc Milon, Duhart Milon, Lynch Bages and few other. Also Taylors Vintage port tasting, I don't even remember what vintage or type of port, but remember it tasted fantastic. Impressive shop for eye shopping, They got the best of the best in that shop, romanee conti, All the first growth in many different vintages, petrus etc. They used to pile up the penfold grange in boxes and boxes. I used to be here every saturday, and it sure was great times.
Highbury Vintners is a very small indepenant Shop. Some great bargains to be had here. They have regular free tasting events in store. Subscribe to their e-mail and they will notify you. Bought Allegrini Amarone 2003 for 30 pound from memory.
Oddbins have been interesting too. Especially the one at the Notting Hill Gate Station. They have Fine Wine Section at this Oddbin and I have not seen any other oddbin like this one. Bought Pontet Canet 2003 and Chateau Brane Cantenac 2000 for 40 pound each. Amon ra 2005 for 30 pound as well.
Yapp Brothers have some great colletions too. Famous for their Rhone Collections. Not in London but worth seeking out. Highlight was Domaine Clape: 'Vin des Amis' (grown just outside of Cornas) Famous for his Cornas, this wine is good bargain. Used to be around 13 pound. Now I think it is double.
Well, let's just say you going to live in the Wine Paradise. Because England makes very little wine and not really well known, therfore you have wines coming from all over the world in a rather sharp price for the competition. Most of the flagship Australian wines will be cheaper but cheaper wines are generally more expensive which in my opinnion is rather strange.
I hope this helped. I bet there are much more wine tastings and merchants throughout the city. Good luck and let us know how you go!
First thing up join the UK Wine Forum'* for some like minded people. The off-line scene thrives, especially in London. -a Wimps lunch well worth attending, if the theme suits & work permits. Some very strong wine merchant recommendations. When in town I try to fit in a visit to a The Sampler. Another 'merchant' easily overlooked: Fortnum & Mason. * It has a real names policy.
Good old Fortnum and Mason. They used to have their own label barossa shiraz from Torbreck. (Probably woodcutters?) Some very fine collections of Australian wines. I still buy Christmas hampers every year from either Fortnum and mason or harrods. (Not for us in Oz but folks in UK) They are all individually wrapped in their own brand wrapping paper. Possibly Best hampers in the world let alone uk.
In terms of restaurants with good wine lists, try 28-50, the Ledbury and the Whistler Restaurant at the Tate Britain. For something a bit different food-wise, try Otto's on Greys Inn Rd. I usually use The Sampler when over there.
) and bad weather.
If you can't PM him, I have his mobile number, just PM me.
The off-line scene thrives, especially in London. -a Wimps lunch well worth attending, if the theme suits & work permits. Some very strong wine merchant recommendations. When in town I try to fit in a visit to a The Sampler. Another 'merchant' easily overlooked: Fortnum & Mason.