1. It’s hip in Hackney

That automatically makes everything cool, right? Sager & Wilde opened up a couple of months ago on Hackney Road, and has been packed pretty much ever since. It has a New York-esque decor with dark wood and Venetian blinds, which you’d associate more with Negronis and Old Fashioneds than Rieslings and Riojas. It’s young, hip and very East London, but at its heart is an affordable list of well over 20 wines available by the glass, and plenty more by the bottle to drink in or take away. Wine-led restaurant Raw Duck at Hackney Central is another example, while Noble Fine Liquor on Broadway Market and 259 Hackney Road are two popular, modern and well respected wine shops also in the borough.

2. New bars are opening up by the week

Well, almost. London is full of longstanding, old school wine bars, many of them which have excelled at their art for more than 50 years and continue to do so. Right now though, we’re lucky to be seeing more and more new wave ventures join them. This week alone has seen the launch of Remedy in Fitzrovia and Sign Of The Don in the City. We’ve also recently seen small group Vinoteca expand into Chiswick for its fourth branch, and in recent times have gained Toast in East Dulwich, Bar A Vin at Quality Chop House in Farringdon, 40 Maltby Street on Maltby Street Market and many, many more. What these ventures tend to have in common is an accessible nature, a younger clientele, a leaning towards affordable options and plenty available by the glass.