Wine by the glass on the up!
Wow, apparently wine by the glass sales now account for over 40% of restaurant wine receipts, stoked by innovative new preservation systems. And it’s good news for punters too – encourages us to be more adventurous and opt for quality over quantity. I mean really, who wants to pay through the nose for a glass of something indifferent just because it’s only available in large glasses, equivalent to a third of a bottle?
Wine loving restaurateurs Roger and Sue Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn have been steadily converting folk to Riesling via their wine by the glass approach, while newcomer 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen (pictured) changes its selection of 30 wines by the glass regularly to give customers a chance to increase their vinous repertoire. Preservation systems are also creating a buzz at wine merchants, allowing customers to try before they buy and/or have a cheeky taste of some very special wines. Take London’s Wine Apostle in Victoria Park, Hackney and The Sampler on Upper Street, Islington.
Incidentally, The Sampler tell me they’re beefing up their Portugese range and have just taken delivery of new additions from Quinta das Arcas (Vinho Verde – Arca Nova brand), Herdade Penedo Gordo (Alentejo), Quinta do Perdigao & Vinha Paz (the Dao – the latter, one of my 50 Great producers) and Quinta de Foz de Arouce (makers of powerful Barolo-like Baga in Bairrada). Good time to swing by!
I enjoyed 28-50 very much–there were several wines by the glass to choose from, and the winemaker of the month flights are a nice touch . . . though I didn’t see as large a selection as I expected. Having seen your blog post that there were 30, in hindsight, that’s actually a very decent selection! I’m living in the Islington area and am excited to try The Sampler.
As an American I miss my CA pinot noirs now and again . . . hoping to find a venue that gives me a chance to taste the old favourite! Places like Whole Foods (expensive) and Majestic (more reasonable) have small collections, though usually less interesting.
Hi Donna, I’m not sure about this. Just had an email exchange with independent retailer Nick Dobson who is back from the States – he suggested contacting Paula Sindberg of the Ultimate Wine Company (paula@ultimatewines.co.uk) who is herself Californian and may have some ideas for you.
Hi Donna you will find it hard to find a comprehensive collection of Californian Pinot Noirs in the UK. A lot of restaurants have SOME, but they are more into Californian Cabernets and Chardonnays. One of the leading importers of Californian wines in the UK is The Wine Treasury, who by coincidence, happen to be the Wine Merchant of the Month on my website at http://www.winebehindthelabel.com. They are giving an extra 10% discount (on top of the 10% already given for unmixed cases) so a visit to their site via my site would be of interest to you. They also supply all the top restaurants in the country and so would be able to tell you where to find them. But don’t expect them to be cheap.
You may also find the Wine Behind the Label site interesting not only for this, but the many restaurant, wine list and hotel reviews, with tasting notes on wines given by Sarah Ahmed, amongst others! There is also the chance to download the guide “Wine Behind The Label” – considered as THE wine bible of the best producers in the world. Check it out.