Review: Humble Grape Fleet Street

Humble Grape is the new wine bar and shop from James Dawson (his second venue in London after opening Battersea’s bar with the same name last year). Tucked away down a cobbled street and hidden in the vaults of St Bride’s Church in Blackfriars, it is a fantastic venue and ideal for a wine tasting. It feels like being in a wine cellar!

Thankfully, neither the venue nor the experience is stuffy in the way some wine tastings (or wine cellars) can be. In fact, the venue is quite the opposite of stuffy– with 3,600 ft2 foot space. Every time I thought I’d found the end of it I found another nook or cranny; where I encountered more wine, more food and more friendly members of staff answering any questions I had.

As the name suggests, there is a less elitist and more ‘humble’ approach to wine to this merchant. The staff are happy to talk about the product – and they are very knowledgeable – but it isn’t done patronisingly or with any sales spin.  There was an overall relaxed feel to the night which I was told was typical of most nights they hold.

The wine was good overall; my particular favourite light French red, the Chateau des Coccinelles. All wines are picked from all over the world and the team are dedicated to working with relatively unknown vineyards. The canapés I tried were tasty too, standouts being the Skin on Baba Ganoush and the Galician Octopus skewers.

Humble Grape has a bar, shop, wine club and they run regular corporate and private events. Bar prices start at £7 per glass and from £10 per bottle if bought from the shop (there are also gift voucher options).

See their website to find out more about Humble Grape, sign up to their newsletter for regular updates and to make an enquiry email them at [email protected] or contact them by phone on 020 7583 0688. The Blackfriar’s venue is located at 1 St Brides Passage, London EC4Y 8EJ.

Reporter: Gareth Brown @GarethBrown26

Gareth also has Booksie page for his stories and Youtube Channel for short films.