Where to Buy Wine in London’s Kensington

Where to Buy Wine in London’s Kensington

• Visiting London, Area Guide

While your average off-licence or supermarket can usually produce something vaguely quaffable in their wine aisles, sometimes the occasion calls for something a little (or a lot) more memorable. And if you happen to find yourself staying in or visiting the historic, affluent area of Kensington—home to such London institutions as the Royal Albert Hall, the V&A and Kensington Palace (once Diana’s, now William and Kate’s official residence)—there’s no shortage of supply when it comes to top-quality, independent wine merchants. Here are some of the best places to buy wine in London’s stylish Kensington neighbourhood.

Whether it’s for a special celebration or simply the end of a very tiring week, you’re sure to find the perfect panacea at The Huntsworth Wine Company, which sells wines from across the globe, but specialises in superb bottle-aged Bordeaux and award-winning Grand Cru. Look out, too, for their vintage port collection, as well as details about the next in their series of extremely popular wine-tasting events.

Proving that you really can’t have too much of a good thing, just next door you’ll find Kensington stalwart Lea & Sanderman, a multi-award-winning wine retailer that has been keeping the cellars of London stocked for over thirty years. Concentrating on drinkability and value, rather than just what will impress your guests (although it’ll certainly do that too!), this well-stocked vinotecais certainly one of the best places to buy wine in London, whether you’re an aspiring sommelier or Bacchus’s newest convert.

Although it’s best known as a Burgundy specialist, wine merchant Haynes Hanson & Clark, located in swanky South Kensington, prides itself on providing every-day, fantastic-value bottles alongside more rare and costly finds. Adored by locals and visitors alike, HH&C’s knowledgeable and friendly staff are always on hand should you need any help deciphering the Bordeaux from the Beaujolais.

For all the Italian hospitality you could ask for, look no further than Vini Italiani on Old Brompton Road, which was the first wine bar and store to be dedicated entirely to wine from the Old Country back when it opened in November 2011. With over 500 quality labels to choose from, you might wonder where to start, but never fear—you can always try your wine before you buy at the bar alongside some cold cuts and cheeses, or let the expert sommeliers guide you through the Enomatic tasting process.

Take a short stroll southwards down Old Brompton Road and you’ll see the wine-red awning of Handford Wines, which has been hand-selecting some of the finest wines since 1989, often buying bottles straight from the wineries. Offerings from Spain, Portugal, Italy and Burgundy are amongst their strongest, though the South African collection is where most agree Handford excels. If something seriously special is on your wish list, ask to be shown the locked EuroCave cabinet, where the very best, and dizzyingly expensive, bottles are kept. And if that wasn’t enough for the real oenophiles among you, the team at Handford even offer the chance to buy wine en primeur (still in the barrel), as well as a cellar management service. Cheers to that!

Feature images © Hanford Wines; Huntsworth; Haynes Hanson and Clark; Vini Italiani