Inverarity One to One

Whether you’re a knowledgeable wine lover or a novice you’ll find something you’ll really enjoy to drink at Inverarity One to One. Hidden in a basement space about halfway down Bath Street, the shop isn’t huge but it’s stuffed full of gems, with wines for all budgets and tastes.
Staffed by the truly wonderful Pete and Andy, they’re always happy to offer advice on which wines you might like to buy. I’ve bought a wide selection of wines based on their suggestions costing anywhere between around £6 and £18 and have loved all of them. It’s also the only shop where I’ve ever had someone apologise for something being cheap (and I must say the wine may not have cost a lot but it was tasty).
More importantly there’s lots of wines to discover that you won’t find at the local supermarket, and I’ve tried and enjoyed a number of varieties I’d never heard of before. In particular I remember a Durif from Australia and a lovely crusted port. As I hinted at above the prices are really reasonable and you won’t pay more than you do at Tesco or Asda.
As well as wine the shop also stocks a great range of spirits and liqueurs, with some slightly more unusual choices available. Also watch out for the sale shelf by the door, you can often pick up a really great bargain!

It’s been a long week, the pressure is on at work and all of your closest confidants seem to have better things to do, even your mom is away on holiday and isn’t responding to your self-​pitying messages. Or. It’s Saturday and in a few hours your American family will get back from their day-​trip in the Highlands and will expect dinner, one of them being your mom, who is the epitome of the food snob and possesses a formidable mental library of wines. There is only one place to go. Inverarity. Pete and Andy will sort you right out. Whether you need a bottle of something familiar, comforting and kind to the ol’ bank account to ease the pain of a rough week. Or maybe 2, 4 bottles to be safe. Or if you want that bottle of just-​the-​right-​thing to go with your asparagus and wild mushroom risotto, so much so that even your MOM doesn’t have a better suggestion, this is your point of call.
Enough with the storytelling, this basement-​level wine and spirits vendor carries an excellent selection of old and new world wines. That said, since I first discovered them a year or so ago, they have shown a particular bent for new world wines, particularly those from Australia. No complaints here. On my first few visits, I left with bottles from Penley Estate in Coonawarra, most recently with the 2010 Hyland Shiraz. In the past, I’ve left with 2013 Condor Shiraz and the 2013 Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon, both for myself and as gifts. I love Shiraz, especially a succulent fruity Shiraz with plenty of pepperiness, so I was perhaps predisposed to love the Hyland Shiraz, a smooth, summery version of my favourite grape. I won’t (usually) say no to a Cabernet Sauvignon either, but enough snootery, these wines are just … good. I have also taken home both reds and whites from Penley Estate’s western neighbour, Mount Barker, from the titillating Vinaceous! wines, most recently the Vermentino 2014. We’ll just do a run-​down of my most recent ‘stock-​up’ at Inverarity, shall we:
The Reds
Right Reverend V, Benevolentia Syrrah (also from Vinaceous! wines)
Santa Ema, Merlot Reserve, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2013
Gérard Bertrand, Saint Chinian Syrah /​Mourvèdre, from the ‘Sud de France’, 2011
The Whites
Little J Grüner Veltliner, Austria
Peter Schweiger, Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal
Just to say, this was an unusually self-​indulgent visit — the coffers had been low for quite some time and I needed a good injection of vino nerdery. I can’t remember the exact price per bottle, but my total came to £88 and some change, the most expensive bottles being the Peter Schweiger and Right Reverend V, if I remember correctly. I have never spent more than £30 on a bottle of wine for myself — and that’s a rare extravagance. While you may not be able to load up on bottles under a fiver, you will get value for your extra pennies. Seriously though, stop buying £3 bottles of ‘Red Wine’ from Sainsburys. You’re worth more than that.
If you want to venture away from your standard Tesco /​Sainsburys /​Asda Cabernet but don’t want to break the bank, you’re in good hands. The waft of 18^th-​century European vintner that hits you as you decent the stairs to this wee wine shoppe need not deter you — using the Vivino app and my own two eyes, I have done a bit of price comparing across Glasgow. Inverarity regularly, as in always, beats Valhalla’s Goat on Great Western Road for price for the same bottle. They can also do just as well as The Cave and Waitrose or even Tesco, with the added benefit of a very knowledgeable staff. Similarly, if you just made a student loan payment and you have literally no money for things that aren’t rent or bills or chocolate, and you just want to spend a cultured afternoon browsing the cellar of 185 Bath Street, you’ll get what you’re looking for here, under the low ceiling, among the ranks of noble libations dusted with a charming petina of dust as the vintages age near the dark recesses. Happy wine-​ing, friends :)

I was looking for some wines for Aussie Christmas and headed to Inverarity for some advice. I didn’t really have any preconceived ideas about what I wanted, so I was happy to leave my decision making up to Pete.
I told him what we were having to eat and what kinds of wines we’d normally drink, and he picked out a couple of delicious bottles for us — a prosecco to start, and then a rosé to go with our main of a leg of ham. I ended up getting two bottles of each as I was so confident in Pete’s choices. The idea of wine matching makes me a little nervous and it’s not something I’d even normally bother attempting, but I was so glad to have the advice of Pete as the drinks went with our meal perfectly. The wines he suggested weren’t pricey either, they were all under £10 a bottle.
They’ve also got a supply of Stroh rum and the other spirits we sampled at Unilocal Shops Local Party at The Raven (thanks to Sarah H!) — I’ll be back for those another time.
If you’re looking for someone to get some Christmas wines, I can’t recommend Inverarity highly enough. There’s no wine wankery here, just friendly guys with great banter, an excellent range, helpful advice and very reasonable prices. And you’re guaranteed to leave with a massive smile on your face. Win!

In my never-​ending quest for truly remarkable shops that define a place, I’m still grateful to Chris D. who introduced us to the find chaps at Inverarity. From bespoke tastings, popping in for a wee chat about all things alcohol, to buying boozy gifts, without question Pete and Andy know their stuff and are passionate about their work. There is no question why I would continually introduce others (friends from the US and colleagues) to Inverarity and its splendours.
Recently, for my partner’s birthday I asked the guys to help me with his surprise treasure hunt. They were more than happy to oblige and kept the special bottle waiting with the clue aside for my partner to collect on the day of the hunt. Later when I heard the guys challenged my partner, «You must drink this whisky before you can collect your present and next clue!» Typical and expected — love it.
It is the local businesses that are engaging, friendly and fun with exceptional service like Inverarity that make me enjoy this city the most. Thank you Pete and Andy!

A hidden gem that I didn’t even know existed!
Set in a basement, this little store has an excellent range of wines, friendly staff and the occasional art exhibited on the walls.
Don’t worry if, like me, you aren’t a wine snob, this is a very casual, laidback place and I get the feeling they’d happily spend all day talking to you about what wines to try.
It’s not very big, but well stocked enough in a ramshackle kinda way. They also do a good line in cigars and spirits if that’s your thing.
Well worth a look if you want to get something a little different.

I ventured in here this morning on the hunt for wine for 2 very good friends christmases. I knew what wine I was after for one of them, the other one I had only the vaguest idea of what I was looking for and yet I was in and out and very happy after barely 15 minutes.
The guy (I didn’t catch his name) was absolutely lovely and even with my über vague description for one of the wines, he was able to shoot right across the shop and lay his hands on a rather delightful sounding red that sounds exactly like I’ll be in the good books for quite a while after christmas! ;)
I’ll not be leaving it long before I’m back here to have a wee browse for myself!
Cheers!

I’ve been to 2 exceptional wine tastings here, both of which ended mildly badly due to my overwhelming consumption of alcohol, but I cannot say a single bad thing about this wonderful little Glasgow gem.
Inverarity One to One is a wine store primarily, but their alcoholic produce ranges from wine to tequilas, vodkas, gins, beers, and pretty much anything you can name. It’ll probably be here if you’re looking for it.
The place is run by Andy and Pete, two fantastic guys who really know what they’re talking about when it comes to alcohol. Their knowledge is absolutely incredible, and can be seen at their wine tastings when they can tell you exactly how most of the wines in store are made, be it in wooden barrels or steel ones. The tastings are light hearted, hilarious, and always somehow make you incredibly drunk (could it possibly be the circle of trust that lets you pour your own measures? Very likely.)
If you’re ever in need of anything that has a drop of alcohol in it, especially if it’s wine, gin or whiskey, you better head on here. You might even find yourself leaving with some cigars in tow.

What a magical land where alcoholic dreams come true! This hidden gem (down the stairs, next to an antique book shop, off Bath Street) is possibly the best wine dispensary to exist within the city limits of Glasgow. But nay, not only wine! Tasty, hard liquor is also purveyed at this fine establishment! You walk in and there is alcohol stacked to the rafters, filling this space with bottles around an antique table that used to live on a train (I think?). It’s like candy land but for winos.
Some lucky Unilocal elites were offered a special tasting for a discounted price, and who could say no? All in all, there were seven wines, a botanical gin, a bourbon, a very nice tequila, and a whisky. They were quite possibly arranged in such a way to make everyone as merry and inebriated as possible, because Pete and Andy are EVIL GENIUSES! The ever irrepressible dynamic duo were, as ever, knowledgeable, entertaining, and above all have managed to give me an appreciation for red wine! Who’da thunk it?
If you appreciate nice tasting wines and spirits, this is definitely the place for you. To get something nice, you don’t have to spend a packet, just ask the boys and they’ll direct you to something that might just suit your pallet very nicely.
On ye go, now! Taste the alcoholic rainbow!

Using every survival skill I had I GPS’ d my way here when got off the bus on bath street. I quickly found inverarity and ventured in to collect the prize I won from the Week Of Treats photo competition, a lovely bottle of white wine was waiting for me when I arrived.
Knowing that my fiancé’s dad is a wine drinker I had a look for a purse friendly bottle of red. Not knowing anything about wine I jumped at the opportunity when I was offered help. I left a happy customer with an even happier purse!
I should also add that its not just wine they do here! Choose from whiskeys, gins, liqueurs and cigars are available too!
Get in!

Inverarity is an absolute gem of a place. I recently attended a wine tasting night and had a really excellent time. The chaps hosting it, Pete and Andy, created a relaxed, fun atmosphere, with plenty of humour alongside the expert information they shared with us, as well as managing to keep the group engaged and err… under control, despite the rather generous portions that were being enjoyed!
These guys really know their stuff, and their passion and expertise persuaded me to not only try red wine (which I’ve never been a fan of), but also whisky. I can now say that I might actually try red wine again, and maybe even enjoy it. Although the jury is still out on the whisky — I might need to attend another tasting event to be fully convinced :-)
They do lots of different themed tasting events — I have my eyes peeled for a champagne or rum event, as well as having a brilliant shop. If I ever want to buy a special wine or spirit, then I will head straight to Inverarity. Or I might just head there to get a bottle of white for any old occasion, safe in the knowledge that I’ll leave with something delicious to enjoy. I’m done with supermarket wine! Buying from experts is the way to go!

Oh dear god. So yeah. If you’re invited to a mid-​week elite event at Inverarity, book the day after off work. I’m serious about this.
The guys really know how to put on a show. Good chat, bad jokes (although I think the latter was mostly us) and clearly know their stuff. I’m impressed. And may indeed be back for another tasting at some point…
I’ve been curious to try the place since Chris D told me about it, I’ve been looking for a Good-​Spirits-​Co-​but-​for-​wine for a wee while.
These guys managed to convince me that I need to reassess my dislike of Chardonnay, gave me a tequila that didn’t make me sick, and I have a lovely bottle of SA Pinotage sitting on the shelf that’s going to go down rather nicely this weekend… 2 myths busted and one favourite rediscovered is a win in my book.

It’s alright.
Nah, it’s better than alright. It’s pretty good.
Okay okay, it’s bloody fantastic.
Pete and Andy (and others I haven’t met yet) run quite possibly the best wine shop in the universe.
Now, I know nothing about wine, and have even been known to avoid it when possible, however, after two brilliant tasting sessions here, I am coming round to the world of the crushed grape. These tastings have been light hearted, fun and very informative, the guys really know their stuff and make wine easily accessible for any level of wine drinker.
The shop itself is stocked to bursting point with wines and spirits from around the world, and you know it’s the best stuff, cos the guys only stock what they like.
Utterly fantastic, well worth a visit, I know I’ll be back for another trip into the wine vat.

what a find! the wine tasting evening was well arranged and the guys know their stock. They also organise other tastings-​look out for these and book early.

So I’ve known about this place for quite a while now and used the guys for wine for a number of events over the past couple of years. Quite how I ever found them, I have no idea, but find them I did and it’s fair to say I’ll be using them for years to come!
Not only do the chaps (Pete and Andy) have a fantastic selection of wines and spirits, they also know their stuff inside out. Pair that with a refreshing sales approach (ie, they don’t ever try to up sell you… infact, quite the opposite!) and you have a truly exceptional Glasgow business.
The reason for the update though is that these guys also do tasting nights… Sorry, let me rephrase that. These guys OWN tasting nights. Funny, engaging, knowledgeable, the guys are neither, but still manage to make it a nice night… I jest. Honestly, as a night out, this is an option that’s well worth considering.
Can’t recommend these guys enough. They and the chaps at Good Spirits, make Bath Street THE place to booze shop in Glasgow. No questions.

Right, I’ll admit it. I was one of the people that have been walking past Inverarity for the last 5 years and thinking to myself, what kind of ponces shop at a place like that? Harsh, I know, but how incredibly wrong was I?
The chaps that run this fine emporium of wine and spirits are just the most chilled out, friendly, happy chappys you are likely to meet. They completely lack any snobbyness or pretentiousness, a trait that really endears them to any passer by!
If you are interested about wine, want to learn a little more or a self proclaimed big wino, you can do no better than to pop in and have a wee chat with Pete and Andy who are just so knowledgeable and passionate. They have a huge range of vino from around the globe and you really do not have to break the bank to find a really classy wine to impress your friends.
The lads host regular wine and spirit sampling nights, which are laid back, incredibly informative and just simply a boozy fest of magnificent drink and fun.
Couldn’t recommend this place enough, big fan, converted!

You could walk past this gem a dozen times and never know it was there, but once you descend the steps to the basement shop you’ll be in for a viniferic (I may have made up that word) treat of Aladdin’s cave tremendousness.
Every time I’m back in Glasgow I owe it to myself to jump into Inverarity One to One to grab either wine, whisky, a cigar, or even all three!
Pete and Andy really know their stuff (you should check out their YouTube channel), and they have a hell of a lot of fun while they do it. These guys are seriously geeky when it comes to booze (the best kind of geek).
If you get a chance you should sign up for one of their in-​store tastings where you’ll sample some excellent wine and whisky, and you’re guaranteed to be entertained by the booze industry’s best double act.

Bath street is like a room at your favourite Grandma’s house. Tucked away in corners are always treasures. Old coins, your grandfather’s medals, maps of countries that no longer exist.
Inverarity One to One is tucked away in a Bath Street basement and filled with bottled treasures. It is well known to those who know their wines and spirits.
These guys have all of the elements that make up a great place to shop. Knowledgable staff who love their products and want to talk about them, a great inventory of wines and whisky that can get you excited again, and choice.
I know of this place due to Andy. Born in Islay (true Ileach) this guy is a wealth of whisky and wine knowledge and is very active in the whisky community. I would go here just for his advice.
The other three members of the Inverarity team are all wine lovers and have a true understanding of their products, something you cannot find in a supermarket.