Wine merchant Tom Gilbey went viral for completing the London Marathon while blind-tasting wines along the way. The stone-cold legend, whose marathon video has had millions of views, agreed to share his favourite London restaurants with great wine lists with Hot Dinners. "Here’s my pick of favourite places," he told us. "They're restaurants that offer exciting wine choices and/or something a bit special to compliment delicious cooking. In no particular order..."
The 10 Cases
Covent Garden - 16 Endell St, London WC2H 9BB
Why it's great: The ever-changing wine list - small with a brilliant mix of classics and contemporary. They buy just 10 cases of each wine and when it’s gone, it’s replaced by another, equally delicious wine. It’s fun.
Favourite wine at time of tasting: Blaufränkisch, ‘Neckenmarkt’, Wohlmuth, Burgenland, Austria 2021 at £45 a bottle
Because... It’s lively, juicy and gloriously gluggable - and it’s under £50
Quality Wines
Clerkenwell - 88 Farringdon Rd, London EC1R 3EA
Why it's great: Because they promote ‘This week’s wine list’. It changes all the time and they have great selections of my favourite grapes, regions & wine styles - Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Mature Reds and skin-contact.
Favourite wine at time of tasting: Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2012, Heresztyn-Mazzini at £110 a bottle
Because... It's a great price for a mature ‘old vine’ Gevrey, from one of the greatest growers in the appellation.
Bleeding Heart Bistro
Farringdon - Bleeding Heart Yard, 19 Greville Street, London EC1N 8SJ
Why it's great: It’s like a warm hug. They have plenty of classics with some brilliant examples of my favourite growers and regions… at very fair prices
Favourite wine at time of tasting: Vouvray 2017, Domaine Champalou at £43 a bottle
Because... It’s a great expression of mature Loire Chenin Blanc – the home of this electrifying grape.
Soif
Battersea - 27 Battersea Rise, London SW11 1HG
Why it's great: Because it takes me out of my comfort zone in my own backyard (France being my backyard). The list is packed with unusual and delicious wines from the Loire, Ardeche, Alsace, Savoie and Beaujolais. IT’S TERRIFIC.
Favourite wine at time of tasting: Chinon ‘Beaumont’ 2015, Domaine Breton at £39.50
Because... It’s a crunchy, juicy, lively red from one of my favourite growers in the Loire …. a wine that lives up to ‘Soif’ ….. a proper thirst quencher.
Cote
Across London
Why it's great: There are some proper diamonds in the rough on this list. It’s generally good all round but exceptional for the diamonds at crazily good prices.
Favourite wine at time of tasting: Riesling ‘Cuvée Frédéric Emile’, Domaine Trimbach at £64 a bottle
Because... It’s pretty hard to buy this wine in wine stores for less than £64. It’s benchmark Riesling from an iconic grower.
Andrew Edmunds
Soho - 46 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LW
Why it's great: For the choice and the value. It has pretty much every classic wine I would love to drink at very great prices.
Favourite wine at time of tasting: Morgon ‘Cote de Puy’ Isabelle &; Bruno Perraud 2019 at £52.00
Because... If there was a Grand Cru of Beaujolais, ‘Cote de Puy’ would be it... and this one’s a cracker.
Enoteca Turi
Victoria - 87 Pimlico Rd, London SW1W 8PH
Why it's great: It’s a wonderful restaurant with a wine collection at its heart - unashamedly Italian with anything you could want to drink from this goldmine of wine.
Favourite wine at time of tasting: Guidalberto IGT, San Guido 2018 at £100
Because... The second wine of Sassicaia – arguably Italy’s most iconic wine and from a wonderful vintage... and well-priced.
Medlar
Chelsea - 438 King’s Road, London SW10 0LJ
Why it's great: It’s understated and extremely good, with a great selection of carefully chosen classic wines at very fair prices.
Favourite wine at time of tasting: Crozes-Hermitage Thalabert 2020, Domaine Paul Jaboulet Ainé at £75
Because... It’s a wine with bags of energy and fruit. Perfect with about four years bottle age and it’s made by a great producer.
Tom Gilbey has spent his whole life working in wine. His company, Tom Gilbey Wine, curates bespoke wine-focused events and experiences across the UK, as well as selling some of his favourite bottles. His ever-growing Instagram page has captivated audiences across the world who have connected with his energy, enthusiasm and expertise, building a following of over 200,000 loyal fans. Visit his website and follow him on Instagram @tomgilbeywine.
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