A pint, a beer garden, and a packet of crisps. Three things that tie so beautifully together, you can rest assured the UK’s pub culture isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. However, there’s no denying that the chic, sultry wine bars in London are giving our beloved taverns a run for their money. Set in cozy environments adorned with bottles of red, white, and everything in between, they’re the perfect setting for an intimate date-night and a hushed catch-up. There’s just one small caveat. Unlike the simplicity of pubs, where we choose a large house white with little more thought, these sophisticated bars require some knowledge. If you order a bottle of sweet Chardonnay but prefer a dry, light-bodied wine, you’ll be in for disappointment.

Before you start to panic, we have good news. A trip to a French vineyard is not required to develop your palate for those precious grapes. In fact, one of London’s best wine bars, Humble Grape, offers tasting experiences in the city’s centre, as well as surrounding neighbourhoods, so you can discover blends from Loire Valley as well as full-bodied reds from Bulgaria right on your doorstep.

With six locations across London, whether you’re in the heart of the city at Fleet Street, south of the river in Battersea or further north in Crouch End, there’s likely to be a Humble Grape wine bar a stone’s throw away. As the saying goes, “life’s too short to drink bad wine”, and so, we jumped at the chance to head to their relaxed, waterfront wine bar in the midst of the bustle of London’s financial district to attend their wine tasting experience. What better setting for a post-work tipple to wind down?

What you can expect is a warm, welcoming environment, and an entirely zero-judgement zone. There’s no mundane slideshows or lectures, just interactive conversations, generous portions, and enough insight to provide you with a savoir faire that’s bound to impress your next lucky date. 

Once we had all settled into the cozy room and took our seat around the table, we started off with our first tasting- a Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley. We were taught how to aerate the wine, then, to our surprise, were presented with a slice of lemon to pair with it. The acidity from the citrus fruit matched that of the wine, and as a result, completely enhanced the flavour. We were left with a glass of bright notes that were savoured in every sip. This is just one example of the intriguing lessons shared throughout the evening.

Following that, we tried a sparkling rosé, a deep-bodied red, and finished off with a dessert wine, all whilst learning about the history of each bottle and the vinification process. Each glass was paired with food, but these were not your typical bar snacks. Instead, we were served carefully chosen dishes that contained flavours which would complement each blend, from toast coated in a golden butter and a sprinkle of salt, to a sweet apple madeleine, both of which were kindly altered to cater to my gluten allergy. 

For just ten pounds, you can secure yourself a ticket to one of these special evenings. What’s more, the ten pounds is redeemable at any Humble Grape bar or wine shop- so dare we say, it’s essentially free? Needless to say, with thanks to the generosity of the glass portions, we can confirm that this is an incredibly merry way to spend a Tuesday evening. To try out one of these events for yourself and sharpen your tastes, expand your knowledge, and impress your friends at your next wine and dine, head to Humble Grape to make your booking today.