London Diaries: Wine o' Clock at Shepherd Market Wine House

After a few months away from London, I suppose it was inevitable that I’d come home to find a few changes in my neighbourhood.

Luckily in this case, most of those changes turned out to be for the better, especially as they included the arrival of Shepherd Market Wine House (SMWH), a cosy wine bar tucked away in between the quaint patchwork of Shepherd Market. Situated just off Piccadilly, this is a pocket of Mayfair steeped in a colourful history and bursting with character even today…

I popped by on a gloriously sunny spring’s evening, the kind that’s ideal for kicking off with a sparkling glass of bubbles…

… Before moving on to discover new wines from the eclectic selection at SMWH, sourced from world-over. The bar doubles up as a retail space, with a small tasting area where you can seek out new varieties under the expert guidance of the affable sommelier and manager, Ben Van de Meutter.

Up to twenty wines are served by the glass, including champagne & sparkling wines (I’d definitely recommend the Nyetimber Classic Cuvée).

What I really loved is that SMWH uses the avant-garde Coravin system, which lets you enjoy fine wines by the glass, without having to uncork the bottle. Quite a nifty way to experience exquisite and vintage wines without breaking the bank either!

Although the food menu is relatively limited, there’s plenty to keep your evening going over sharing platters of fresh cheese, olives, pate, terrines and charcuterie! My friend, Shraddha, and I dived right in.

Under Ben’s astute pairing, we opted for a crisp but refreshing Sancerre which cut through the rich creaminess of the soft cheeses beautifully (especially the brie!), while finishing off with a more bodied and earthy Syrah.

We spent our evening perched by the windows, looking out onto the constant bustle and flow of Shepherd Market.

While a tiny space, the charming layout of the bar also includes an intimate semi-private tasting room downstairs, in addition to cosy nooks and tables laid out in the cellar area… It’s likely where you’ll find me next time I need to hide away with my laptop or a book, over a crisp glass of wine (or two)!