Not new, but still smart
40 Maltby Street
40 Maltby Street, SE1 3PA www.40maltbystreet.com One of the first natural wine bars and still going strong. In the Bermondsey foodie hub around Druid Street, 40 Maltby Street is run by wine importers Gergovie Wines. Good grub too, but check opening hours. No reservations.
Sager & Wilde
193 Hackney Road, E2 8JL www.sagerandwilde.com The pioneers who brought – and still bring – fine wine to Hackney, including a strong Californian list. Food has expanded since the early days of cheese toasties, but is still limited to classic cheese and charcuterie wine bar fare. Scheduled to open a new pizza joint in Clerkenwell this summer called Fare.
Blandford Comptoir
1 Blandford Street W1U 3DA www.blandford- comptoir.co.uk, and
Cabotte
48 Gresham Street, EC4 www.cabotte.co.uk One of the best-known sommeliers in town, Xavier Rousset MS currently owns two wine-focused restaurants, having moved on from the 28°-50° group he co-founded in 2010. Chic little Blandford Comptoir in Marylebone offers Italian/ French food; and in the City, Cabotte has a strong Burgundian leaning.
Noble Rot
51 Lamb’s Conduit St, WC1N 3NB www.noblerot.co.uk/wine-bar Probably the bar and restaurant the wine trade heads to most frequently, Noble Rot is run by the same team as the award-winning magazine. Ticks all the boxes, regularly opening special bottles by the glass and offering 75ml pours. Oh, and a £ 16 lunch menu.
The 10 Cases
16 Endell Street, WC2H 9BD www.10cases.co.uk A useful watering hole in Covent Garden, whose USP is that it only buys 10 cases of any wine to ensure stocks keep changing. A small restaurant, terrace and wine shop next door with a few seats. They also own the excellent fish restaurant Parsons opposite.