Eat & Drink
Originally published on Wednesday, 23rd March 2011
Q&A: Brett Woonton, Vinoteca
Our WineChap, Tom Harrow, shares a glass or three with Vinoteca’s Brett Woonton
Leading the new breed of the old school, Vinoteca are great innovators, happily listing Greek, Slovenian and Brazilian wines in their original St John's site when most winebars considered Austria exotic. Their new venue, a long time coming, is a welcome respite from the main Oxford Street drag. And with 50 wines under £20, Prosecco on tap and their own wines bottled on site to take away (£6 if you bring the bottle back, so sustainable drinking too) it continues to set trends.
WineChap catches up with its affable owner, Brett Woonton, over a glass or two…
Q. What are the best value wines on your list at the moment?
A. The word ‘South’ is key: South America and Southern France – Languedoc-Rousillon, Provence…
Q. Are there any other wine bars or lists you’d recommend in town?
A. Champers on Kingly St in Soho is proper old school (it opened in 1977) and still delivers. For restaurants, La Trompette in Chiswick has a great list.
Q. What makes a great wine bar?
A. Have a varied list, plenty by the glass, and stock more than just the usual suspects. Also, staff that have the knowledge to sell the wines confidently is paramount.
Q. What wine from your list would seal the deal on a date?
A. The 2001 Nyetimber (which won best fizz in the world). It’s quirky and great value. Plus it encourages sustainability as it’s made in the UK.
Q. What’s your tip for top food and wine pairing in your joint?
A. Try the Slovalian Muller Thurgau with Smoked Eel and Remoulade.
(For the record, the WineChap certainly has, is likely to do so again rather soon and can firmly second the good Mr Woonton’s sound advice on this matter.)
Vinoteca
7 St John’s Street, EC1M 4AA
15 Seymour Place, W1H 5BD
