Papilles

Papilles Wine Bar is an alternate wine bar and café located in Old Street. It operates as a before and after work venue, suiting everyone after a French cuisine.

Two years ago, Papilles was founded by french couple Anne and Jonathan. They started out as just the Café before growing into something a little more. Their aim is to share their love of wine and pass on their knowledge to customers about how we too can indulge on some delicious affordable wine.

Papilles has launched ‘Tour de France’ to celebrate the distinct culinary flavours and wines throughout France. As the year continues, they will highlight a different region renowned for its culinary and winemaking traditions, beginning with Provence. The wines will be paired with traditional Provencal tapas, Tepenade (olive spread), Pissaladière (onion tart) and Panisse (chickpea and flour with water and olive).

I joined Anne and other wine lovers for an evening of wine tasting. We learnt about the history of each region the wine was made in as well as the reason behind the pricing, the quality ingredients selected and topped off with how a Rosé gets their pink colouring. We sampled 4 bottles from Coteauxd’Aix en Provence, CoteauxVarois, Côtes de Provence and Côtes de provence St Victoire.

I must confess I enjoyed all of them and found it a little hard to pick a favourite. It was the Côtes de Provence and Côtes de provence St Victoire that I would definitely like to purchase again. The food which is prepared by Anne’s cousin (yes it is very much a family run business) paired quite nicely. I was a bit apprehensive in the begining as I can be a fussy eater and I didn’t think I’d enjoy the Frapas (French tapas). However, I convinced myself I need to just go with the experience after all I do try to test taste traditional food in whichever country I visit whilst on holidays, so why should this be any different.  The olive paste ended up being my favourite of the evening.

On the 21^st of July, Papilles are throwing a Provencal themed party. An evening full of delightful rosè wine, pastis, tapas from the Provence region and the French game pétanque. If you haven’t got plans already, head on over and enjoy your French evening without having to leave London or break the bank. It is definitely worth the visit.

Written by Bec Brodie

Instagram: beki_b

Papilles Wine Bar
Eagle House
163 City Road
EC1V 1NR