There are many places to buy wine in London, famous old wine merchants such as Berry Brothers & Rudd and Corney & Barrow, wine emporiums within department stores such as Selfridges and Harrods, chains such as Laithwaites and Majestic and many more.
But walking into Hedonism Wines (for the first time) on Wednesday after a quick lunch with the daughter who works nearby I was bowled over by not just the sheer choice of superlative - and I don't use that word often - wines, the friendliness of the well informed staff and the way the store was cleverly laid out so that you pick one area, one country, one varietal and then spend the next hour or so deciding which you should go for. Not an easy decision I can promise you.
 |
 |
 |
Hedonism Wines was only established in 2012 and has sourced around 6,500 wines and 3,000 spirits picking the best from each region of the world. There's a whole area devoted to Domaine Romanee Conti wines such as La Tache and Echezeaux not to mention a secret room for Romanee Conti wines themselves.
The quirky room in the middle of the second group of pics is devoted to cult California winery Sine Qua Non - but it would be impossible to give you a proper idea of the incredible collection here, from Bordeaux to South Africa and Australia to Italy, Germany the US and onwards. If you're in London you simply have to visit.
There are also 5 Enomatic machines where you can taste up to nearly 50 wines on site, to use their words ' Tasting highlights in the past have included Screaming Eagle 2010, Latour 1996, 2002 and 2008, Sina Qua Non Midnight Oil, Masseto 1994, Chateau d'Yquem 1981 and Gaja Barbaresco 1985'
 |
 |
 |
From over 110 Robert Parker rated 100 wines (including Cheval Blanc, Saxum James Berry, Cote Roti La Mouline Guigal 2010 to Screaming Eagle 2012) to a carefully curated collection of wines from every wine producing country under £50 and yes, there's a good choice under £30 (500+) this is heaven for anyone who loves wine.
Go there to learn, taste, buy and invest in that special occasion 27L bottle you probably won't be able to lift, let along pour and be prepared to spend hours. There's even a children't play room in case you can't leave yours behind.
And yes I'm going back as soon as I'm back in London.
I'll be posting some of their wines on Instagram over the next few weeks #hedonismwines
