FIVE PERFECT RESTAURANTS FOR WINE LOVERS

Andy Lynes

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A well chosen bottle of wine can lift a great meal to a truly memorable one. A good wine list can be one that is so extensive it runs to several volumes or a much shorter document that contains a range of well chosen, interesting and good value bottles. Although home grown wines are improving, Britain doesn't have a viniculture to be snobbish about wine which makes it one of the best places in the world to drink it. Travel to one of the great wine producing regions of Europe and you'll probably be offered exclusively locally made wine. In wine savvy restaurants in the UK, you'll find selections from all over the globe and a passionate and informed sommelier to guide to the bottle that's right for your palette and your pocket.
The Burlington Restaurant

With over 2,500 fine and rare wines, this is one of the most comprehensive lists in the country. Sommelier Nigel Fairclough is as approachable as he is passionate so you won't have to spend all evening mulling over your choice to accompany halibut with shrimps, oxtail, parsley root purée, grelot onion and red wine.

The Vineyard

Hotelier Sir Peter Michael loves wine so much he bought his own vineyard in Northern California. You'll find plenty of the winery's best bottles on the enormous list here, along with other fine Californian vintages and an impressive selection from around the globe to go with Danial Galmiche's modern French cuisine.

The Harrow at Little Bedwyn

Owner Roger Jones indulges his passion for wines from Australia and New Zealand on a comprehensive list that also includes an excellent selection of Champagnes. Why not try a glass of Ruinart rose with your chilli Cornish squid with caramelised Kelmscott pork and bacon dust.

The Felin Fach Griffin

With many staff members having taken wine exams, there's plenty of informed imbibing advice on hand at this charming rural dining pub with rooms. There's no huge list here, just 20 well chosen and great value wines that might even include a Chardonnay from Solvenia to drink with a supper of potato gnocchi with wild rabbit, corn and pancetta.

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

Raymond Blanc's world famous restaurant and hotel offers one of the great gastronomic experiences in the country, so it's fitting that there's a cellar of 1,000 bins to compliment the likes of wild Cornish brill, scallop, Oscietra caviar, cucumber and wasabi beurre blanc.

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