The Wine Tasting Shop

If you are a bit of a wine aficionado or just enjoy trying new wines, then you might like to pay a visit to The Wine Tasting Shop located on buzzy Hildreth Street in the heart of Balham in Wandsworth.

This thriving bar, bottle shop and tasting room has become a neighbourhood hangout for wine lovers in South London. But if Balham is a bit out of your way, then you can enjoy the shop’s diverse range of wines via their recently launched new online wine store that has been created by owners Rex and Cat Rosales, hot on the tails of their Decanter award for Best London Neighbourhood Wine Shop at the end of last year.

The new online store now gives Rex and Cat the opportunity to share their passion and knowledge of wine with a much wider audience.

Giving up his successful career as a lawyer in the City to follow his passion for wine, Rex and his partner Cat took over The Wine Shop in 2022 with the dream to create a welcoming venue where customers can ask any questions they wish about wines and pairings with foods. Targeting the under 35s was a big part of their plan, as Rex really enjoys opening up the world of wine to younger drinkers who want to explore new varieties and styles.

Head buyer at the shop is Cristi Datcu who enjoys the opportunity to ease customers out of their comfort zone. The wines they stock at the shop change on a regular basis and feature both old and new world wines, as well as wines from new countries and regions such as Moldova, Georgia, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Canada and Greece.

If you are not too sure about what wine you want to buy, then the online shop can guide you with personal recommendations and encourages you to get in touch directly with Rex and Cris if you need some help in deciding what to try. Or you may have a particular occasion or event in mind and want to know what might be appropriate to serve.

Commenting on his new wine shop venture, Rex says:

“Wine is made to be enjoyed by everyone. There is a lot of jargon to bust through for someone at the start of their wine journey and I just love making things simple and understandable and answering questions.”

The bar and shop have recently been renovated by Rex and Cat so as to create a cosy and welcoming environment in which to enjoy your wine and interact with the professionally trained and enthusiastic staff. It is the perfect place to pop in for a lunchtime glass of rosé on the pavement terrace or for simply sharing a bottle of red and a plate of cheese and charcuterie with your friends or partner. You might also like to take part in one of the regular tastings every Thursday and Saturday where everyone is welcome. The shop also hosts a BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) tasting session for local parents on Tuesday afternoons, and there is a popular live music night every Friday showcasing the best of London’s unsigned talent.

The shop has an intimate downstairs room in which they hold weekly tastings, as well as bespoke events for private groups, with guest producers and experts regularly visiting for special one-off tastings.

Last month saw the launch of a new monthly supper club where a young innovative chef cooked up Venetian Cicchetti paired with an exciting wine flight. Then this spring and summer the al fresco side of The Wine Tasting Shop will make it a destination for Londoners looking to enjoy a glass of wine and something to eat in the warm sunshine, while the online shop is there for those of you looking to buy something special that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home or garden.

The Details

The Wine Tasting Shop, 18 Hildreth Street, Balham, London, SW12 9RQ, England.

Tel: +44 (0)20 8616 8658

Website: www.thewinetastingshop.co.uk

Email: enquiries@thewinetastingshop.co.uk

Located a short 3-minute walk from Balham Underground station on the Northern Line or 4 minutes from Balham mainline station (Southern Trains), The Wine Tasting Shop is open Tuesday: 1:00pm to 9:00pm, Wednesday: 1:00pm to 10:00pm, Thursday: 1:00pm to 11:00pm, Friday: 11:00am to midnight, Saturday: 10:00am to midnight and Sunday: 10:00am to 7:00pm. Closed on Mondays.

Author Bio:

Simon Burrell is Editor of OMOTG Travel & Lifestyle Magazine, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.

Photographs courtesy of The Wine Tasting Shop