28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen – a novel and eclectic approach

At a civil partnership party tonight which, earlier in the week, prompted a what to wear jaunt to Oxford Street’s sales – not my idea of fun….  However, considerable compensation was to be had at Texture off Oxford Street where I enjoyed a belated birthday lunch with my best mate.  I’ve been itching to get back there after attending Australia’s First Families of Wine tasting and dinner in May (see here).   At £22 the set lunch is very good value for such accomplished cooking and the amuse-gueules did just that! 

Anyway, reason for mentioning it is that last week its owners, chef Agnar Sverrisson and sommelier Xavier Rousset, opened their new venture 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen in the City (Fetter Lane).  I reckon it’s well worth checking out because, as the name suggests, it’s not your usual wine bar, nor are its wines the usual suspects.  Rather the aim is to have a revolving door of ecelectic wines to encourage experimentation and adventure, which selection will change frequently.  The wine list is broken down into 3 sections.

First, they offer 15 red and 15 white wines by the glass, carafe and bottle.  Second, the list features a winemaker of the month selection, this month, Domaine Trimbach from Alsace.  The selection includes a couple of vintages of each of Clos St Hune and Frederic Emile Riesling and a flight of 3 Rieslings by the glass. Next up: Mac Forbes from Yarra Valley, Gerard Gauby from Roussillon, Domaine Dujac from Burgundy, the Glaetzer family from Barossa Valley, Vina Tondonia from Rioja and Vieux Telegraphe from Chateauneuf du Pape.

Finally, and this is pretty novel, the “Collector List” comprises mature vintages of fine wines that are drinking well sourced from private collections and sold at fair prices.  Take Chateau Beaucastel 1988 at £99/bottle.   Incidentally, 28-50 are interested to buy wines so, if you’ve wines to sell that are in perfect condition, stored well and with a good provenance, you might want to get in touch!

And if you visit, please let readers know how you go and post a comment.