Shepherd Market Wine House

Kudos to Shepherd Market Wine House for its easy-going expertise and the wonderful setting for enjoying great wine.

The more I’ve come to appreciate wine the more I’ve realised there’s still a lot I don’t know and that such a lack of knowledge tends to be the case with so many so-called connoisseurs. Similarly, as I continue to acquaint myself with Mayfair – one of my favourite parts of London for a meandering mosey – the more I feel smoke and mirrors of the brashest affluence and exclusivity for its own sake have obscured and tarnished this upscale and historic neighbourhood’s resplendence.

So, bravo to Ben Van de Meutter – manager, buyer, and Head Sommelier at Shepherd Market Wine House – for knowing his stuff and backing it up with enthusiasm and presenting his wares in an approachable manner and in an easy-going and comfortable setting. His friendly Shepherd Market Wine House is everything you (or, at least, I) could ask for of a wine shop. And tucked away in the cosiest of Shepherd Market nooks, it’s an ideal spot for loosing track of everything except what’s in glass and at hand.

By all means, if you want to blow a few hundred quid or more on a couple of top rated bottles or to indulge in a £40 or more glass of something really special (from sealed bottled a la Coravin extraction) Ben and his team will be more than happy to accommodate and steer you in the right direction to spend your money most wisely. But my experience there suggests that the door opens wide for anybody, and I’m confident that any punters – whatever their budget, level (or lack) of expertise, or preference of taste – would be welcomed with equal warmth.

Even the least expensive bottles and by-the-glass wines (bottles start at £22 and go well beyond; by-the-glass prices start at £6) are sure to please discerning palates. The shop does a £10 lunch (with glass of wine included of course) as well and offers one of the tastiest cheese and charcuterie boards I’ve nibbled from in quite some time. The gap between in-house and takeaway prices for a bottle is 40%.

I could list the wines tried during my recent visit but reckon I would be doing a better service just to tell you to head to the shop and let Ben know what sort of wine you’re after. But I will say that I certainly am looking forward to future visits, whether for rare drink-to-impress forays or more-likely hideaway offsite work sessions (there’s free WiFi) when I bobbling around town in need of a pleasant refuge.

Shepherd Market Wine House is located at 21-23 Shepherd Market, W1J 7PN. Find out more at shepherdmarketwinehouse.co.uk.