Which is the best fine wine shop in London?

By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr

Updated 11/10/2023

I can think of one or two, but I was in Fortnum and Mason's last week, to buy some prosciutto, and also some porcini mushrooms, and as the grocery section is just next door to the wine section, I had a good browse around. I ended up buying a very good bottle of Palo Cortado Sherry to go with the prosciutto.

I was most impressed with the range they have and particularly their "own label" selection, where they have carefully selected some of the best producers to supply their label. For instance, their Champagne comes from Louis Roederer, their Burgundy from Joseph Drouhin, their Chablis from Louis Michel, and even their Stellenbosch red from iconic Meerlust, and only £15.95 a bottle. There are many more great examples in every major category.

Delving further, The F&M website offers many of their best wines at a generous 10% discount for a six-bottle purchase. In the run up to Christmas it would be hard to go wrong with a range of sherry, fizz, white, red, port and brandy in a mixed case (or two!).

There are lots of other interesting packs, which would make wonderful gifts. The World Whisky or Scotch Tasting sets to LBV port and Stilton packs. There is also an interesting range of wines and spirits under the Highgrove label, the highly successful enterprise of King Charles; and what better Christmas present than that?

I struggled to see which producer has supplied each of the Highgrove range. Claret and Port are certainly not produced in Gloucestershire! Perhaps there is a small acknowledgement on the back label, I couldn't see it, but I guess if these are stocked by Fortnum's they will be equally eminent producers as they have for their own label.

For any wine lover, this must rank as one of the best wine stores in town.