Chances are, in these uncertain times, you’ll want to reach for a glass of something soothing at the end of the day, your very own ‘after work’ drinks, even if it is just you and the cat. Zero judgement here.
While supplies on supermarkets shelves are disappearing fast, don’t worry - London’s wine shops and independent retailers are stepping up to make sure you’ll have a steady stream of the good stuff for as long as you need.
The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the current crisis, with ‘temporary’ closures stretching out indefinitely, staff being left unemployed and vulnerable, and businesses that remain open reporting catastrophic losses to revenue. Lots more bars and restaurants are quickly and innovatively reorganising their entire business to handle online orders and deliveries, in the hope of providing food and drink for their customers, and retaining jobs for their staff. They need your support - this is one time when you really can drink for the greater good.
If you want to stock up on a few bottles and support a local, independent retailer, here are a few places to start.
Guilt-free boozing sounds good to me.
North
Quality Wines, Farringdon
The wine shop and bar of Clerkenwell’s inimitable Quality Chop House is now offering wine for delivery, so customers can still get their fill of brilliantly sourced, well-priced artisanal wines. Next day deliveries are available if placed before 8pm, minimum order is £100, and delivery is available to zones 1 and 2, with potential for some zone 3 (delivered by the team themselves in order to help keep the cogs turning). New lists will be released and updated each day, and to inject a bit of lighthearted entertainment into the current situation, co-founder Gus Gluck will be leading online ‘blind’ tastings via Instagram Live. Stay tuned on social media for that (and Gus’s sharing of well-known inspirational quotes such as “Get on up, when you’re down, baby, take a good look around...”). Get in touch via james@thewoodheadrestaurantgroup.com, or gus@thequalitychophouse.com for the current list and to place your orders.
Provisions, Highbury
North London dealers in excellent cheese and equally excellent wine are offering wine orders (with the option to add cheese and deli goods) for next day delivery on all orders above £85, with an added 5% discount when using the code Provisions2020, or 10% on orders of 12 bottles or more. Take advantage and stock up on some of the wine industry’s favourite producers from across Europe. Simply drop an email to the team on Info@provisionslondon.co.uk for their wine list, and they’ll organise your delivery. Think of it as a wine-and-cheese care package for self-isolation.
Vinoteca, Kings Cross
London’s OG collection of casual, welcoming wine bars have a whole online shop featuring the same top quality classics and wines from under-the-radar regions that they pour in their bars across town. Put together a few of your favourites - shipping is free for orders over £150 or £12 otherwise, and signing up to become a member will land you some tasty discounts.
Top Cuvee, Finsbury Park
Restaurant and bottle shop slinging seasonal, natural wines from north London’s Finsbury Park, Top Cuvée bring you a steady selection of wines by bicycle courier around London within 1.5 hours, or UK wide within 3-5 working days. Place your order online, or email for a touch of human interaction on hello@topcuvee.com
Yield N16, Newington Green
Newington Green neighbourhood deli and wine shop is offering their biodynamic and minimal intervention wine, craft beers, cheese, and charcuterie, as well as bread and eggs by same day delivery locally from Tuesday to Friday, and next day delivery to wider London postcodes, so city dwellers can stock up on all the essentials. Minimum orders start from £30, delivery charge starts from £5.
Winemakers Club, Farringdon
Importer, merchant and cavernous wine bar based under the arches of Farringdon Street, Winemakers Club are bringing their quality, well-sourced, diverse selection of wines online, from the classic traditional, embracing organics, and a few rare gems from the back of the vaults. Delivering free within a three mile radius from both Farringdon and Deptford shops, order online or get in touch with the team for personal recommendations. Minimum spend is £25, same day delivery for orders placed before 2pm.
Mountgrove Bothy, Highbury
A ‘Bothy’ is a Scottish shelter, a safe house, a place to hunker down and hide from the elements. Fitting, then, that Highbury’s own Mountgrove Bothy is bringing liquid sustenance to its north London neighbours in this moment of solitude. Order rare and natural wines from a charming wine list; choose individual bottles or select mixed packs of 3 or 6 to be delivered, free within a one mile radius or with a small delivery charge for same-day drops via Uber further across London. No minimum spend.
Bodega Ritas, Kings Cross
Natural and low intervention chilled whites, delicious reds and pre-mixed ‘House Rita’s’ margaritas, for anyone in need of anything stronger to take the edge off the current situation. Order online via Slerp from their Coal Drops Yard HQ for delivery to Dalston, Hoxton, Highbury, Camden, Canonbury and Shoreditch within the hour (approximately). In the words of co-founder, Missy Flynn, “stay safe, fat and sassy.”
East
Rebellious Goods, East London
Rebellious Goods founders Terry Francis and Anni Bauer believe that for too long, the most exciting natural wine has been reserved for “those in the know”. On a mission to make good wines more accessible, they’ve curated a list that focusses on family wineries and artisan products, working directly with the producers and bringing their wines directly to the doors of east London and beyond. Choose coveted natural wines from England, France and Germany, alongside craft beers, edgy spirits, and juicy sodas, and have them delivered within a swift one hour(ish) slot within London between 12pm and 8pm, minimum order just £20. Next day delivery available outside of London.
Passione Vino, Shoreditch
Supplier to London’s top restaurants, Passione Vino, have just launched a ‘Wine on Wheels’ service with their trusty Italian vespa for delivery. Steer clear from mass-produced varieties that line supermarket shelves and choose a bottle from an independent producer at excellent value. Place orders by calling 07899 844820 and Luca and the team at Passione Vino will help you pinpoint your new favourite wine. They’re also doing an aperitivo platter for £25 of artisan charcuterie and cheeses to enjoy alongside. Delivery available all over London.
Newcomer Wines, Dalston
Offering no-contact deliveries within a 3-mile radius, Dalston’s favourite indie wine bar, Newcomer Wines, have over 200 wines from Austria and neighbouring countries available to order, helping make this self-isolation a little bit more bearable. Place orders via the website for same-day shipping, your support won’t go unnoticed - “as an independent business we would love for you to keep buying our wines—it could make all the difference to us, our team and the future of our growers.” Newcomer Wines.
newcomerwines.com/shop-delivery
P. Franco, Bright, and Peg via Noble Fine Liquor. London Fields
The East London holy trinity of P. Franco, Bright and Peg restaurants have stockpiled their favourite wines to sell online via Broadway Market bottle shop, Noble Fine Liquor. From humble wines for the everyday table to the greats that will elevate your at-home special occasions, shop naturals and low-intervention classics from Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain and Australia among others, or choose expertly put together mixed cases. Available to order for collection or delivery - locals might even get a glimpse of *that* bottle bike…
Free same-day delivery on orders over £100 (order before 3pm + within a 2 mile radius of Bright, London Fields) £10 shipping for the rest of London and mainland UK. Free shipping on orders over £150. Order before 3pm for delivery on the next available business day.
Furanxo, Dalston
Dalston grocery and wine shop selling wines with Spanish spirit (but sourced from around the world), delivering locally to Hackney, Highbury and Islington. Order via the online shop, pick up some aperitivo essentials like cheese and charcuterie, and add some brightly coloured tins of fish to recreate the authentic bodega experience in your own home. Delivering Tuesday - Saturday, order by 4pm for same-day drop off. No minimum order.
Angelina, Dalston
No need to go out, Angelina will come to you to deliver wine, cocktails, and a limited food menu. So whether you fancy a bottle of Barolo or a Negroni to see you through, Angelina’s waiters are swapping trays for bikes and bringing the goods to you in the comfort of your own home. Locals can simply call in their order on 0207 241 1851, or anyone further than a fifteen minute cycle away can place orders online via Deliveroo.
Angelina are also raising money via their JustGiving page to help those who are most in need during the crisis so that they cook for and deliver food to those that are homeless, vulnerable or isolated in the local community.
Renegade Urban Winery, Bethnal Green
Renegade Urban Winery and Taproom is another of London’s vinous hotspots residing under some railway arches, this time in Bethnal Green. Speaking candidly about how COVID-19 has resulted in an immediate loss of business, founder Warwick Smith has reported a catastrophic 100% fall in orders from trade customers (restaurants and bars), and the overwhelming majority of their total revenue - reflecting the situation being felt across the food, drink and hospitality industry at the moment. Smith says, “We are trying to find out how to stay afloat and pay staff. I can't bring myself to ever not pay our staff, even if they're not contracted - they are the most vulnerable ones”. You can support by ordering online.
Offering free next-day delivery on all orders, there’s no minimum amount, and packages can be delivered to your doorstep or left with a neighbour. Orders over £100 for a 10% discount, using code LETSDRINKTHROUGHTHIS. Pick up a bottle of ‘London Sparkling’, ‘Bethnal Bubbles’ or an English Rose, among others, and keep an eye out for online virtual tastings via social media. Bottles start from £24.00
Burgess and Hall, Forest Gate
Anyone living in or around Forest Gate, Leytonstone and Leyton areas might be relieved to know that Burgess and Hall Wines are currently compiling their ‘big wine-hug’ wine list which will be just the ticket to see you through any isolation times. The specialist independent wine shop and bar holds friendship and warmth at their core, and want you to feel like you’re stepping into a ‘big wine hug’ when you visit them. So, with this in mind they'll be bringing this to your doorstep - minus the hug of course! If that sounds good (we can think of worse!) then email info@burgessandhall.com and Rosamund and Paul will be on hand to help.
South
Salon, Brixton
The team behind Brixton’s favourite ‘wine store next door’ are bringing their eclectic range of low-intervention #lockdownjuice straight to our sofas with free weekly delivery slots across south London. Choose from mixed cases of 6, cheerily named ‘Fun Bangers’, ‘Juicy Bangers’, ‘Strictly Bangers’ and more, and then email info@salonwinestore.co.uk with your preference. Deliveries can be arranged to east, west and north London on request.
Blackbook Winery, Battersea
Keep it truly local with Blackbook Winery, a London urban winery based in Battersea, producing boutique English wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals among others. Founders Sergio and Lynsey are currently offering FREE local delivery to those dwelling in SW8, SW4, SW9 and SW11 postcodes, and free delivery of orders over 3 bottles outside of that, with no-contact ‘Door Drop’ services available for anyone self-isolating. Wines start from £17.50, check out the selection online for bottles that look so good you’ll want to keep them afterwards.
Dynamic Vines, Bermondsey
Independent wine merchant with a focus on organic, biodynamic and low-intervention wines, Dynamic Vines are one of the top suppliers to London’s most highly respected restaurants. To make sure thirsty customers still have sommelier-quality wine at home they are offering free delivery to anywhere in the UK on all orders over 6 bottles. Snap up a selection box of ‘House Wines’ of red, white and mixed for £120, or choose your own selection from their list here. Locals can also pre-order and collect from their Bermondsey warehouse.
Diogenes the Dog, Elephant and Castle
Keeping the wine flowing in Elephant and Castle, Diogenes The Dog, has their core wine list available via their brand new online shop. Or, for hidden gems, one-offs, and pairings for whatever you’re currently batch cooking, try their ‘Phone Sommelier’ service where the team will choose the perfect wine to your dish, and can deliver to Londoners within a 6 mile radius of the bar. Call in: 02077035570. Your wine problems are solved.
Peckham Cellars, Peckham
Peckham Cellars is getting wine to the people of south east London via their all new ‘Takeout Club’: free delivery and no minimum order to the following postcodes: SE4, SE5, SE8, SE14, SE15, SE17, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24. Link in bio.
peckhamcellars.co.uk/wine-shop
Bedales of Borough, Borough Market
Bedales of Borough wine bar have launched an online wine shop, bringing its vast selection of wines to customers to enjoy from the comfort of their homes, supporting independent producers around the world while they do so. Mario Sposito, Wine Director for Bedales, alongside the Bedales Wine Team, are on hand to provide personal recommendations and help craft selections. Simply get in touch at mario@bedaleswines.com for bespoke offerings, or browse and shop the collection online. No minimum order, delivery is free for orders over £150, £5 for orders over £80 and £9 for orders below £80. Uk wide delivery delivery within 3 working days.
bedales-of-borough.myshopify.com/
Bar Douro, London Bridge
Bar Douro specialises in wines from all over Portugal, from the zesty and fresh whites of the Minho in the north to the warming and spicy reds of the Alentejo and everything in-between. Delivery is free with a minimum order of six bottles, and £1 from every order is being donated to Hospitality for Action. Contact info@bardouro.co.uk to order.
bardouro.co.uk/london-bridge/wine-deliveries
Ancestrel Wines, Bermondsey
A wine shop tucked under the arches of Bermondsey’s Spa Terminus, Ancestrel specialises in natural wines made by hand by farmers and grape growers of France, Italy, Spain and the USA. Working hard to keep us stocked up on the grape and the good, they’ve put together a range of mixed ‘survival’ boxes. Choose from Italy, Spain, or France with cases starting from £100 + delivery, or enjoy 20% off if you can collect. Orders can be placed via Instagram, their website or email laura@ancestrelwines.com, or via the brand new Natoora app, launching brilliant quality produce previously only available to chefs, where you can add Neil’s Yard cheese and bread from Little Bread Pedlar straight to your door. Sign up for new app here; https://mailchi.mp/natoora.com/appregistration
Specialist Cellars, Brixton
New World wine warriors based in Brixton have a mouth-watering selection from across New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, and are offering 10% off all first orders. Snap up some crisp Marlborough Sauvignon, organic wine or vegan wine - or if you’re all out of headspace to make decisions then choose from an array of mixed cases starting from £38. Order online to either collect from the Brixton shop or have it delivered to your home.
Humble Grape, Battersea and Islington
Hand-crafted wines from small vineyards around the world, available for delivery across London via Deliveroo and UberEats, and nationwide via courier. Keeping customers stocked in bottles they’ll love, Wine Manager Desiree is on hand for tips and recommendations, say hi on, desiree@humblegrape.co.uk. As an extra offer to whet your appetite, Humble Grape are offering 10% off cases of 6 and 20% off cases of 12 using codes THANKYOU10 and THANKYOU20 respectively.
161 Kirk, Sydenham
Neighbourhood wine shop and bar in Sydenham is doing free wine wine deliveries to all SE London postcodes and regular deliveries UK wide with their new initiative, The Milk Round. There’s no minimum order limit, and orders of six or twelve bottles will scoop discounts of 10% and 15% respectively. Use codes MILKROUND6 and MILKROUND12 at the checkout. Anyone outside of an SE postcode can enjoy free delivery within three working days for all orders over 10 bottles, so there’s no need to self-isolate thirsty!
West
Connaught Cellars, Marble Arch
Specialising in classic and traditional wines from some of the most highly respected winemakers across Italy and France, Connaught Cellars has all of your Bordeaux and Burgundy needs covered. Bring the restaurant experience home - order online via the website or Deliveroo - same day delivery is available within London, with nationwide deliveries available via courier.
Hedonism, Mayfair
One of London’s classiest wine emporiums, Hedonism Wines, is operating deliveries as normal across London and beyond, so introverts and self-isolators alike can stay topped up on bottles from all around the world. Phone or email and one of their wine experts will be on hand with recommendations. Free delivery on orders over 6 bottles should help relieve some of the doom of the current situation.
Abbotshill Wine Shop and Bar, Ealing
This independent wine shop and bar in west London is sending out deliveries of organic, biodynamic, vegan, and sustainable wines to those nearby - simply email hello@abbotshillwine.co.uk for details and to place orders.
Online
Modal Wines
Modal Wines founder Nicholas Rizzi has a knack for seeking out striking wines that sit just outside of the ordinary - small batch wines from unusual varieties are sought from lesser-explored regions like Slovakia and the Canary Islands (as well as the classics) for wines made by hand that are full of character, and highly drinkable. Helpfully bandied together online by category, choose from selections such as ‘Easy Peasy’ for easy-drinking mixed cases under £50, to ‘Into the Wild’ for more natural and alternative styles, ‘Keeping it Cool’ for wines made for sunny days, and so on. There’s something for everyone and many of these bottles are rare gems that would usually be hard to get hold of, so snap them up while you can! Bespoke selections based on budget and preferences are also available by emailing Nicholas directly on info@modalwines.com.
Delivery available across London and the UK with a minimum order of £65 plus £10 delivery fee, or free delivery for orders over £175.
Tutto Wines
Hipster slingers of rare, alternative and natural juice, Tutto Wines, have now launched “Tutto a Casa”, opening their cellar for home delivery. Choose between curated cases, L’APPARTMAMENTO (6 bottles for £100 + a £10 delivery fee) or IL PALAZZO (12 bottles for £240 with the free delivery), or browse individual bottles. Get 10% off orders of 6 bottles or more and free delivery on all orders over £150. Place orders via info@tuttowines.com
Wanderlust Wine
Online indie merchant importing a delicious selection of organic, biodynamic and sustainably-made wines from producers around the world, Wanderlust Wine are popping corks with their ‘Wine on Demand’ service: delivering to thirsty Londoners within the hour. Raise a glass to the arrival of spring with a celebratory rosé, or choose from a number of sophisticated bubbles, whites or reds. Next day delivery is available nationwide, supply/demand permitting. Contactless delivery available. No minimum order, orders over £100 will get free delivery.
Ourglass
Ourglass's mission is to make serious wine accessible. From £35 per month they'll deliver 3-6 different bottles of wine - handpicked by their team of experts - with useful tasting notes. With over 1500 on the menu, you'll never run out of delicious new wines to savour. Nationwide delivery.
Roberson Wine
Family run, independent wine merchant, Roberson Wine, is operating a UK wide, next day delivery service via a contactless delivery service. Choose from hundreds of quality wines from all around the world, free weekday delivery on orders over £100, next day when ordered before 12pm.
Uncharted Wines
Independent merchant focussing on small Domaines work sustainably and ethically from all corners of the globe, Uncharted Wines are innovative and future-focussed - if you’ve ever had ‘wine on tap’ in one of London’s progressive wine bars, chances are it’s come from these guys. While they can’t set up a wine tap in your own home (shame) they can get some great bottles to you, pronto. For the first time you’ll be able to get your hands on wines previously only available in London restaurants, such as Chateau Yvonne from Saumur and bottles by talented winemaker Yann Bertrand in Beaujolais. Delivery across the UK is free for orders over £150, or £15 otherwise, and next day delivery in London is available on orders placed before 12:30pm. Tip: don’t forget to add some Ramona wine tins for the authentic Friday ‘after-work drinks’ feeling.
Indigo Wines
Specialist importer of unique wines from the lesser-known regions of Spain, as well as Portugal, South Africa and Chile among others, Indigo Wines have a mouthwatering selection of interesting bottles. Curate your own selection or grab one of their ‘Indi to go’ cases to be delivered direct to your door, and nab a discount: 1STORDER15 for 15% off your first order, or INDIGOFRIEND15 for 15% off any order over £150 (excluding Indi to go boxes). Donations from Indi-to-go cases will go toward Hospitality in Action Emergency appeal.
indigo-wine-online.myshopify.com/
Nekter
Nekter Wines specialise in minimal intervention wines from California, Australia and South Africa, produced sustainably in a way that respects the environment, and they’ve done the hard work of choosing wines for you, with a great selection of cases offering some tip top wine across their full range. Cases start from trios with a 5% discount, to 10% discount on cases of 6, and a bottle poppong 15% off all 12 packs. Grab an extra 10% with the code NEKTER10. For something more personal, you can get in touch for tasting notes, gift messages, or personalised notes - a tailor made service to suit! No minimum delivery – there is a charge of £7.99 for orders under £50. Free delivery on orders over £50 with the code COUNOISE. Delivery nationwide by courier, next day available in London and surrounding counties for orders placed before 12pm.
The Little Fine Wine Company
The Little Fine Wine Company specialises in half bottles, bringing the world of fine wine to solo isolators, responsible drinkers and midweek tipplers - because sometimes you just want a glass or two of something delicious without having to crack open a whole bottle. Sourced from the very best producers around the world, the selection is hand picked by outrageously knowledgeable Master of Wine, Victoria Stephens-Clarkson, so you know your next night in can be a good one.
No minimum order, next day delivery is available nationwide at £9.95 or free above £100 (Highlands and Islands vary).
thelittlefinewinecompany.co.uk
