FOOD & DRINK BLOG

The reopening of Pétrus has caused some excitement among oenophiles — not least due to the stunning open wine cellar at its heart. Bottles suspended on glass fins appear to be floating in space and diners are invited inside for a thoroughly interactive experience. However, if dropping £5,000 on a bottle of the eponymous plonk leaves you cold, there are plenty of other London venues with statement cellars and great-value onsite wine shops (gordonramsay.com)

City newcomer The Anthologist (theanthologistbar.co.uk) encourages experimentation with three tastings from £8.75, and has an accessibly priced website on which you can order your favourite tipple. At the new Gauthier Soho (gauthiersoho.co.uk), sommelier Roberto della Pietra runs a wine club and shop (his top recommendation is £13 Saint-Chinian Blanc) and last year L'Etranger (etrangerwinecellar.co.uk) owner Ibi Issolah opened a wine shop next door selling his auction-sourced vintages at bargain prices. Pearl's (pearl-restaurant.com) temperature-controlled central cellar keeps white wine at 3˚C and red at 16˚C, while its groundbreaking cruvinet system means guests can sample unusual varieties without committing to an entire bottle.

Italophiles will appreciate Vineria's (vineriarestaurant.com) take-away option — more than 150 Italian labels — and the new boutique wine emporium linked to Mews of Mayfair (lacave.co.uk) can even be hired for private functions after hours.

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