iVintners

IVintners is a relatively new addition to the lanes of Richmond Green. I was enticed into it one cold day when I saw through the window a DVD playing of a log fire, adjacent to walls of wines. Even more tempting was the sign outside which said ‘Wine tasting Shop’. I love wine tasting! I had not yet come across a shop whose sole purpose was this, so into IVintners I went.
The premise is simple. Every bottle of wine stocked is for sale, both as a bottle, and for tasting. The price of the tasting depends on the price of the wine, but the prices are generally what you would pay for a glass in a restaurant.
I think this is a fantastic idea if you are stuck for a choice of a bottle. It is also great for learning more about different types of wine, and trying out grapes and flavours that you might ordinarily not try. The wine starts about £5.00 if you are buying the whole bottle. I saw plenty of choices that would have appealed. Pinot Noir, lots of full bodied wines, and a particularly nice looking Rioja that was about £8.00 for the bottle, and £4.00 for the glass. And of course, you can sit and watch a log fire DVD while you are tasting! Handily, there are two little tables outside as well, so you can sit and savour your glass in this little alleyway.