As Head of Wine across Crispin, Bar Crispin and Bistro Freddie, Alex Price knows more than a thing or two about the city’s exciting and ever-evolving wine scene. Here, she shares her top three spots to enjoy a glass – or indeed, a bottle – near her home in east London.
Trusty favourite: Dan’s London
Set just off Kingsland Road, Dan’s is the bricks-and-mortar site behind online shop, Natty Boy Wines. Past the unassuming exterior, bright yellow outdoor tables and quirky mismatched chairs you’ll find the real magic; shelves FULL of the wares of some of the world’s best wine producers. If like me, you prefer to go bottle over glass, then this is where you will have your fun. For those looking to sample a glass or two, then their cryptic BTG menu is where you will find intriguing options ranging from ‘easy skinsy’ to ‘advanced skinsy’. While this concept isn’t for me, (I boringly prefer to know what I’m choosing) it’s a great way to try something new and engage with the knowledgeable, yet sometimes run-off-their-feet staff. The real pull for me lies in the incredible value. If you happen to find yourself in at the right time, Dan drip feeds his hard-to-find wines onto the shelves, meaning you can snap up a special bottle at a fraction of what it might be listed elsewhere – and boy, does he have good taste.
Last thing I drank: Sylvain Pataille, Bourgogne Blanc ‘Les Méchalots’ 2019
New discovery: Yuki Bar
With their first service on New Year’s Eve, Yuki Bar burst onto the scene like the cacophony of fireworks around it. Housed under the railway arches just off London Fields, the small bar is named after legendary owner Yuki Kaneko – whose impressive sommelier’s CV boasts stints at both Noma and P.Franco. His wine list is concise, fitting neatly on both sides of a sheet of A4. It includes some of the most exciting natural wine producers in Europe at very generous prices – and is complemented by a small selection of European and Japanese-influenced snacks. We visited on a rainy Sunday night, but the place was buzzing with the kind of energy reserved for earlier in the week, full of industry patrons and wine lovers thirsty for Yuki’s brilliant list, extensive knowledge and the effortlessly cool vibe he’s managed to curate.
Last thing I drank: La Vigne du Perron, Couf Chien 2020
Special occasion: Planque
While not strictly a wine bar, this place knows how to show you a good time. A wine friend recently described it as the ‘Oswald’s of the East’ (sister wine club to 5HS), and in some ways, he wasn’t wrong. Part-members club, part-restaurant, the slick, Scandi-esque space has an air of exclusivity that’s usually reserved for the Mayfair brigade. Self-proclaimed as a ‘wine drinkers’ den’, members are encouraged to store their collections in the beautifully designed cellar that serves as a backdrop to part of the restaurant. Renowned chef Seb Meyers oversees the kitchen, which knocks out a French-inspired menu that is as refined as it is delicious – and the perfect accompaniment to the impressive French-led wine list that reads as a comprehensive ‘who’s who’ of the winemaking world. With equally impressive and knowledgeable staff, this is a restaurant that knows it’s good; an ideal spot to splurge with other winos who are on the same vibe.
Last thing I drank: Domaine de Saint Pierre ‘Les Gaudrettes’ 2016
