Vino & Vino offers a great selection of affordably priced - and exclusively - Italian wines.

The Venue
Vino & Vino is an attempt to create a traditional Italian enoteca (wine-bar-cum-sampling-shop) with a City twist. The décor is streamlined, with just a nod to the rustic aesthetic of traditional enotecas. In fact this pristine white box, with a glass wall to the rear, only has an impressive display of wine bottles hanging on the wall to speak of. The rest of the furnishing is simple, but with a bit of respect for tradition: the square tables have a marble tabletop, while the wooden chairs are also woven with straws. Other added touches include a ham slicing machine – quintessentially Italian – and slick chillers for the whites.

The Atmosphere
Vino & Vino sells wine to take away to customers who have sampled it first over some tempting nibbles. Once you find one you like, you can subtract £7 from the in-store price and take them home. Those who are drawn in are less hip Clerkenwell and more suited City: the customers are demure and laid-back, in keeping with the chilled atmosphere inspired by the décor and the tastefully discreet Italian background tunes. A welcome change, this is Italy 2011 and not the nostalgic look back at Italy’s historical colorfulness, something that’s often a default setting at venues across the capital.

The Food
The idea is to provide nibbles to munch on while sipping wine rather than a full meal, in line with the Italian aperitivo tradition. Platters (£6.25-11.40) are typical: tomatoes and mozzarella, Parma ham, salami and cheese. The latter is incredibly moreish, with the unusual gorgonzola picante cheese, stinky but deliciously sinful. The large bruschettas (£6-8) are excellent: the Siciliana with grilled artichokes, aubergines and tomatoes is a triumph of flavours. Salads (£4.50-7.25) and plates of the day are also available.

The Drink
With 60 bottles to choose from, ailing from all of the Italian regions, this is the best the country has to offer without compromising on good value for money. In fact, the strongest asset of Vino & Vino is how affordable it is. Bottles start at a mere £15.50 and most remain within the £26 bracket. The excellent Sicilian red Nero D’Avola is reasonably priced at £20.50, despite being not that common in London. The Tuscan rose Scalabrone is reddish rather than blushing but it is nevertheless very good for £5.20 per glass. Other highlights include whites varieties like the verdicchio, soave, gavi di gavi, riesling, and reds like the barbera, nebbiolo, the exquisite dolcetto, barolo (priced at £69, this reflects its premium quality), barbaresco and sassella.

The Brunello di Montalcino 1999 may seem an exception at £155 but it is one of the most expensive wines in the country and there are also less expensive vintages for £36. To boot, the selection is particular good on dessert wines: the vinsanto is a long-standing and much appreciated tradition, but it is the Passito di Pantelleria DOC that impresses. A type of raisin wine produced solely on a tiny island (also the southernmost point in the country), you will be pleasantly surprised to find it so far from here it originates and priced at a very affordable £4 a shot.

The Last Word
Vino & Vino delivers an excellent showcase of Italian wines, all sold at incredibly honest prices.

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