The winner of this year's Decanter Reader Award for Best Local Merchant, as voted for by Decanter readers went to The Wine Pantry in London.
With its origina l minuscule shop at Borough Market, and its second at St Pancras International Station (now closed, with another to open soon), Wine Pantry continues to pursue its speciality: English wine and British produce. The latter includes beers, ciders, Scotch whiskies and British rums, gins and vodkas, sourced direct from the producers. It has more than 20 English wines available for tasting or for sale by the glass at any time, and can organise trips to producers for you, should you fancy a day inspecting the vines.
In May 2013 it hosted a three-day festival at St Pancras, pairing English wine with English cheese and roast-pork baps: as one reader commented, ‘They are passionate about supporting Britain’s produce and extremely gifted at displaying its fine quality.’ Last year Wine Pantry was voted Decanter Specialist Wine Merchant of the Year and it came runner-up this year, proving it’s as popular as ever: ‘Unique, genuine and delicious!’ wrote one supporter. ‘The only shop of its kind, with open, friendly and unpretentious staff.’ Or as another commented, ‘Awesome wine, awesome people!’
Written by Decanter
