Welcome to Serving Up With... our series where food becomes the entry point into deeper conversations about culture; where cooking is more than just what’s on the plate. With every episode, we’ll be passing the mic to some of our favourite culinary creatives as they dish out new perspectives on identity, politics, history and community, all through the lens of what (and how) we eat and drink – reframing how we think, one unique recipe at a time...
Enter: Hannah Crosbie. The wine writer, author, broadcaster and all-round drinks whisperer. Originally from Scotland, and now based in London, she is the first person we’d turn to for a recommendation on what to drink (and, just as importantly, where to drink it). In her episode, How Do We Get Young People To Drink More Wine? This self-proclaimed “twentysomething absolutely obsessed with wine and drinks” makes a valid point on the drinking habits of Millennials and Gen Z. Young people are drinking less, with the number of sober 18 to 24-year-olds in the UK increasing by 7% in the last six years to 21% (in comparison with 13% for the rest of the population). From the rising cost of alcohol to anxiety over ordering the ‘right’ bottle, not to mention the growing awareness of alcohol’s health impact – there’s a shift happening, and Hannah’s here to talk about it.
Of course, this conversation isn’t about promoting drinking – it’s about understanding how younger generations are reshaping the culture around it. Because fewer drinkers, means less people buying wine – a change in habit that’s already making waves across the industry, from small-scale producers and independent importers to your favourite local wine bar. While this trend is particularly noticeable in the UK, it’s also being echoed across parts of Europe, the US and Australia, where younger generations are redefining their relationship with alcohol altogether. “Because of this, it’s also a challenge for bars to offer value for money but also meet soaring costs in an increasingly challenging hospitality industry,” Hannah explains.
With this in mind, and for those of us who do like a glass of vino now and again, it’s all the more important to support those great independent spots where we can – the ones championing quality, craft and community. Plus, as Hannah puts it, in an economic climate where “going out for a glass of wine is more of a luxury than ever”, if you are going to spend your money, you may as well spend it on something that’s worth it.
And so, with a wine expert on hand, who better than Hannah to share the best wine bars to visit in London right now? Discover her reccs in the full episode of Serving Up With... here [LINK], plus a little extra detail in the list below... Cheers to that!
4 London Wine Bars Hannah Crosbie Thinks You Should Check Out Now
Half Cut Market, Kentish Town
“You’ll find me out the front here most weeks. There’s loads to adore about Half Cut. Their wine list is equally balanced between natural wine heroes and gorgeous classic examples from beloved regions. Head chef and co-owner Aidan has created a menu that’s so easy to love. His flatbreads are (and I quote), like if a cacio e pepe made a baby with a crumpet. His skewers are always perfectly cooked. You can even smoke outside! Or, they’ve struck a deal with the vape bar next door to smoke shisha alongside your flatbreads. It makes for a very opulent Wednesday evening.”
Véraison Wines, Camberwell
“Heading south to Camberwell, Veraison Wines takes its name from the process of a when a grape changes colour and ripens. The outside is indicated with a neon grape sign that fills the frontage with a warm purple/green glow. The interiors are decidedly Paris-bistro-inspired, with warm wood framing upright bottles. Here, you’re just as likely to find a pink pét-nat as you are a bottle of fine champagne, and there’s ample cheese and meats to be washed down alongside.”
Bar Crispin, Soho
“The answer to the age-old question: where do I drink just off Oxford Circus that isn’t a members’ club or a terrifyingly oversubscribed pub? Bar Crispin is a great wine bar and restaurant, usually with walk-in space available. This wine bar leans on the natural wine side of things, with a constantly rotating by-the-glass list, paired with small plates. Their mini fried sandwiches are divine, and the crispy polenta is an excellent way to spend a fiver.”
Noble Rot, Bloomsbury, Mayfair & Soho
“Finally, obviously, Noble Rot. This three-headed wine restaurant beast that has become the bastion of all that’s great and cool about London drinking. Their wine list? So long and ever-changing it needs an iPad to navigate. Their team? Endlessly lovely and generous with their knowledge. There are three outposts: the original on Lambs Conduit Street, Soho and Mayfair. Mayfair, the most recently opened, is my favourite, but all three make use of their sprawling, historic venues, with deep colours of paint and bold designs of their magazine covers.”
