The newest instalment from group behind Middle Eastern grill restaurants, Berber & Q and Shawarma Bar. Flavours of the Levant are woven into the fabric of the dishes without being beholden to them; modern European motifs work in tandem with spice, citrus, and heat with ease. Here the wine list proves an equal to the diverse food elements that underpin the space’s foundation. Exceptionally curated, from joyfully salty, leesy, nourishing whites of Alessandro Viola and Marco Merli, to the crystalline minerality of Alexandre Giquel’s Vouvray, to the ample and generous Jurassic wines of Julien Labet, to the odd and wonderful wines of Laureano Serres. In reds, delicacy and power take up equal space, from the lithe, nimble pineau d’aunis of Jean-Pierre Robinot to the structured and elegant Barbarescos of Olek Bondonio. 

In the basement beneath the impressive Maison Francois dining room exists the dimly-lit, bronze-clad and borderline too-sexy space that is Frank’s. The concept here is more Parisian bistrot, boasting the classic steak frites, carrotes rapees, and a selection of oysters. It’s entirely possible to visit Frank’s and be tempted by nothing besides martinis (it’s the space for it) but a glance over the wine list surprises with its unexpectedly clever selections. Savoyard wines would be the obvious choice for the food, but it’s the salty, mineral whites of Nino Barraco (Marsala, Sicily) and the perfumed, delicate Jurassic reds of Domaine de Pelican which are both surprising and enticing options from the list.

For over 10 years, this narrow little Soho institution has been at the cutting edge of London’s natural wine scene — offering imaginative plates alongside some thrilling and eclectic low-intervention red, whites, and in-betweens. And while many are now venturing further east to find rare and spectacular bottles, Ducksoup’s list is not to be overlooked. Featuring a rotating selection of esoteric and wonderful wines by the glass and a brief but comprehensive by-the-bottle list with excellent wines from all over Europe, there’s never any lack of excitement to be found in this little slice of Soho. 

Slotted in amongst a plethora of lovely independent businesses lined up like bunting on the high streets of Crouch End, the Cellars makes for an exceptionally nice stop should the wind blow one through the hilly reaches of north London. Well-stocked shelves with an ambitious reach into nearly every category of wine, liqueur, and spirits makes for an enviable neighbourhood destination, one that boasts just enough of everything. The selection here covers quite a bit of ground, from a full selection of Cantillon lambic (Belgian beers) to the juicy, vibrant Veneto wines of Marco Turco, to the liberated natural wines of the Loire, to the delicate Champagnes of Charles Dufour. Being a shop by day, bar by night, the fare is limited to snacks of cheese and charcuterie, but the selection coupled with the immensely knowledgeable staff brings the experience at Crouch End into its own. 

There’s little better than getting a space in the front room (wine bar area) of the original Noble Rot on the characterful Lamb’s Conduit Street to enjoy the scene over an all-too-leisurely afternoon with a few bar snacks and several bottles. One could write a book on the wine list here (in fact, teh self-style “Rotters” did!) which covers producers from all corners of the world and of all manner of production. To find zero-zero wines on the Noble Rot list requires a bit more insight, but there are few ways to misstep in Noble Rot.  From Savoie, drink the exceptional wines of Domaine Belluard, particularly the not-often seen sparkling “Mont Blanc.” From Beaujolais there’s always a back vintage to be found of Yvon Metras. At the entry-level there’s plenty of exceptional wines to drink as well — but save the Chin Chin for Top Cuvee.

There’s something inherently comforting about a high-ceilinged, airy, slightly shambolic pub on a weekend afternoon. And while the space appears to say, “come one, come all,” to get the most from this wine list, a little insight is required. The Draper’s selection focuses on Burgundy and Bordeaux: regions less-known for natural wine production (higher land prices and strict AOC regulations being the two leading factors behind this.) That said, within each section there are  gems, particularly in the “regional France and like minded naturals” category. In the Loire, there’s the beloved wines of Cailloux du Paradis; from Provence, back vintages of the iconic Trévallon Vin de Table. From Sicily, trebbiano from Guccione — perfectly in keeping with the dusty corners and drafty edges of this space. And should there be pockets deep enough to support such behaviour, dive into white Burgundy and Chablis: the beating heart of the list. Meursaults of Antoine Jobard, single-vineyards of Dauvissat-Camus, and the occasional Domaine de Montille all make an appearance, with little to no doubt that more back vintages wait in the wings.

A sweet and inviting space, equally charming on the rainiest days of winter as it is at the peak of summer, Elliot’s remains one of London’s favourites after more than 10 years in town. Here, generous portions of mortadella, wood oven pizzas, and salty small plates make the perfect accompaniment for a fun, accessible, and an often rather adventurous wine list perfectly suited to the space and food. 

A juicy, chilled red hits the spot here, like the Mas de l’Escarida Sople e Joios gamay. Weather permitting, getting a space on the pavement just outside and drinking a zesty, pink lemonade-y bottle of Cauzon rosado feels like an excellent way to waste away an afternoon, watching the crowds of Borough market ebb and flow. Regardless, the wines here seem to demand to be drunk casually and thirstily. Easily done in this timeless little corner of London. 

Newly opened Veraison Wines brings a little slice of old-school France to a Camberwell High Street. Dark wood-paneling and a bric-a-brac approach to decor create a space somewhat lost in time but perfect for casual drinking of lovely wines. Without question, the wine list here features mainly wines from London-based importer Winemaker’s Club due to a bit of London natural-wine dynasticism: owner Patryjca Lorek’s husband owns the import company and Farringdon wine bar.

Veraison has a typical neighbourhood vibe that slots charmingly into the tapestry of Camberwell. Here, parties of friends old and new descend on low tables and bar seats of the intimate space. On a sunny day, enjoy a bottle of Ismael Gozalo’s Nieva York verdejo pet nat for seriously citrusy refreshment. For a mid-week treat, tuck into one of the elegant Coteaux Champenois roses from Olivier Horiot: complex and ethereal still rose from Champagne. Classic French bar snacks are made better by exceptional bread from new-neighbours Frog bakery. With plenty to choose from and only a £12 corkage fee on all wines (plus no-corkage Wednesdays), Veraison stands as a tempting new space for Camberwell residents and outsiders alike. 

It’s not the first time Hector’s has been hailed as a new stalwart of wines in London and it surely won’t be the last. There’s something about the idea and the space — so sure of itself that it becomes more than the sum of its parts, however simple they may be. Hector’s has captured the hearts of its De Beauvoir audience, and understandably so: being there feels like being in the extension of one’s own, quite chic, home. Here drinkers will always find something interesting to have by the glass, but the experience really comes into its own pulling a bottle off the wall or cellar room (where there are often gems hidden, for those willing to browse more intently.) Chenin blanc from Loire newcomer Fabien Pérreard of Le Nadir feels a supple comfort for a weekday night; for something a touch more flash, a 2017 Brouilly from Jean-Louis Dutraive may do the trick. For the uncertain, proper wine bar rules apply: follow the staff’s lead. And when the wine runs out, there’s always a cheeky bottle of mezcal lurking amongst the staff drinks — a pretty spectacular nightcap.

In what seems a perfect fusion of classic British pub and wine-drinker’s paradise, the Clarence Tavern finds itself at the intersection of classic and modern, old-school and youthful. Listing winemaking legends alongside regional newcomers with a narrative charm that’s joyful to read, the pedigree of the buying team comes through in spades. For the richly comforting savoury pies, the zippy Austrian whites of Andreas Tscheppe cut playfully through the weight of cream and stock; for steak, Julien Altaber’s delicate, peppery gamay-pinot blend does wonderfully. There’s room at the Clarence to make unconventional choices within a familiar environment. And with wines of serious quality across the board, there’s ease and pleasure in choosing wine off the list here, for both the adventurous of heart and the pickiest of drinkers.

A natural wine institution — the wine list reflects the portfolio of their own importing company, Gergovie Wines. And because of the microscopic production of many of their producers, notably those of Auvergne, 40 Maltby stands a sort of natural wine-drinkers mecca, for cuvees so intriguing and often so off the beaten path you’d be hard-pressed to find them anywhere else, let alone with a staff able to discuss them with the ease and enthusiasm of the Maltby team. Woven into the fabric of Maltby is the sense that every single thing should feel salt-of-the-earth, and to fantastic success. The humble a la carte menu surprises with skillfulness and moments of whimsy, and the wine list buzzes with the energy and philosophy of the producers within it. From the aromatic, electric sauvignons of Jerome Saurigny to the brooding, spiced reds of Maziere, to the ironous, nuanced gamay d’Auvergnes of Bouju, everything’s a treasure, hidden in plain sight.

By now hailed as a London institution for natural wine, P. Franco came from humble beginnings, meant to act as an extension of the owner’s home where friends could gather around a communal table and drink exciting wines. Since then, the model’s changed dramatically and wine-buying responsibilities have changed hands numerous times, and yet at its core the feeling tends to stay the same. While today’s iteration of P. Franco may feel a bit younger, buzzier, and the wine offerings somewhat same-ish to many other east London establishments, there’s still something undeniably appealing about setting foot in the narrow space and sinking into the ritual of it all. Start off with a glass of sparkling red (something of a calling card for the greater Noble group) and see where the night goes from there. Highlights from the shelves include the ultra aromatic hybrid-variety field blends from Wijngaard Lijsternest and the lifted, peppery cabernet francs of Francois Saint-Lo. 

A proper little neighbourhood buvette catering to the Leytonstone community, Dina Wines offers up some of the best seasonal and latest-release wines with a laid-back, communicative, and friendly approach — a particularly great spot for drinkers new to the natural wine world. Bar snacks are simple, tasty, and suit the vibe, and a rotating by the glass list keeps things interesting for locals. A well-designed calendar of events, including winemaker events, supper clubs, and importer takeovers make this a deserved destination for anyone looking to sink their teeth into wine and have some fun in the process.