Boasting a tremendous selection of wine and looking suspiciously like an off licence, you would be forgiven for not immediately seeing yourself spending an evening at Nicolas Wine. Yet, if you are looking for good quality wine in an environment where you can talk with your companions, then this could be the ticket for you.

The Venue
While Nicolas Wine does appear to be more shop than bar, you are quickly put to rights. On entering you are greeted with shelves upon shelves of wine bottles. To your left, the space extends a fair distance with numerous tables and chairs, culminating in a small bar at the back. Overall, there is little in the way of adornment – you are here for the wine and not much else.

The Atmosphere
It is a difficult one to put your finger on; first impressions give you little in the way of real atmosphere. Ultimately, you’re not here to make new friends, you sit with the people you arrive with and talk to them and them alone. That said, Nicolas Wine is very popular, and in the latter part of the week it’s recommended you make a reservation, especially if there are more than two of you.

While the traditional atmosphere might be missing in action, the service really ups the ante – there are not just polite smiles and timely delivery of orders, rather knowledgeable advice over what to choose and why. More so, this advice does not appear to be profit driven, you quickly understand why the place is so packed.

The Drink
Nicolas Wine are Paris born and the majority of their wines are of French origin. There is a small nod to other regions; however, you are essentially in a French establishment. You can just sit at a table and request the waiter bring you a glass of wine from their menu, with prices starting at just above £2, or you can browse their shelves first and have them uncork a bottle of your choice. As you can imagine, prices vary greatly depending on your selection; one certainty is, the same bottle in a restaurant or regular bar would be a great deal more costly.

The Last Word
What is lacking in atmosphere is more than made up for with an excellent wine choice and knowledgeable staffing. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or someone who doesn’t know red from white – the offerings here are more than acceptable.

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