St Pauls Summer Sunset

Some semblance of organisation threatens to overthrow the haphazard world of Wine on Wednesday post pesto. For the remainder of 2010 WoW will be on the last Wednesday of the month. I will throw in a few in between (with venues a little bit out of the way or lacking the universal appeal) and let you know as these come up. The purpose remains threefold; a regular catch up, an exploration of London’s best bars and a chance to learn more about wine. I will keep you in the loop with these emails and this blog.

Our next adventure falls on the 25th of August at Dion St Pauls, a place renowned for its Krug room. Be not afraid, one will not be expected to max the credit card on a Nebuchadnezzar of vintage bubbles but do join us for one glass or many of whichever wine you desire. Will kick off about 7pm to catch the last of the summer sunshine in the surrounds of London’s famous dome (Dion St Pauls, Paternoster House, 65 St Pauls Churchyard, London EC4M 8AB).

Wine from the Middle East . . . seriously?

I was lucky enough to try some Lebanese wine recently (even luckier that I was doing so in Lebanon). The results were not of note with one exception, the Ksara Reserve du Covent. A deep red blend of Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah and Carignan that was reminiscent of a warming Cotes du Rhone. Not really suited for drinking in the steamy Mediterranean sun but nonetheless a wine I will keep my eye out for. To qualify this I should say that I did not manage to sample any Chateau Musar wines. Musar is the flagship of the Lebanese wine industry (outside of Lebanon at least) and another to put on the list.

The Find

Bafana Bafana will be a distant memory so the merlots and marsannes can return to centre stage for the next Wine on Wednesday 14 July. If you're a chance make your way to La Trouvaille in Soho (12a Newburgh, Soho, London, W1F 7RR) from 7pm. It is just east of Carnaby Street for the shoppers amongst us. If the weather is fair we will probably congregate in the laneway outside otherwise will probably try to nab the church pew downstairs. Hopefully it will be a good little find . . .

ps: Despite strict drink driving laws and a general disdain of public transport Wine on Wed has made a successful debut in Brisbane . . . www.wineonwednesdaybrisbane.blogspot.com

Never Say Never

It's true, this Wine on Wednesday is less about wine and more about a good Margeret River chardy or a ballsy Barossa red (or the football team where they're from). Most people have written Australia off but I am unwilling. As such I've booked the top bar at the Harcourt Arms in Marylebone. It is not a glamour pub but should be a great spot to catch Australia v Serbia amongst friends. On a day when London is likely to stop (for the England match at 3pm) don the Green and Gold and join us to see the Socceroos have a crack.

The top bar at the Harcourt Arms (32 Harcourt Street, London W1H 4HX - walkable from Baker St, Marylebone and Edgeware Road tube stations) from 7pm Wednesday 23 June.

Charlie

Il Baretto

Staying central this week with a Italian tipple or two at Il Baretto on Blandford St in Marleybone from 7pm this Wednesday 28 April. Address is 43 Blandford Street London W1U 7HF and closest tube station is Bond Street. See you there.

To give you a little heads up we’re likely to head south to Green & Blue (Clapham North) on the 12 May and then east (Islington) on the 26 May for some tasting at “The Sampler” before we take a few bottle on to a local restaurant. More details to follow . . .

Two Halves at St John

In the place known for bringing hearty British food back into fashion we hardly managed to get beyond the wine list . . .

St. John Bar & Restaurant

Simple food, an architecturally inspired space and good wine . . . St. John Bar and Restaurant promises to deliver what we love best in a classy setting. If the weather is as good as last week it may be standing room only so I’ve booked a table. In an old smokehouse near Smithfield Meat Market this establishment takes its name from the street it resides on, actual address is 26 St. John Street, London EC1M 4AY (don’t get confused there is also one in Spitalfields). Look forward to seeing you there.