Edinburgh’s top wine bars
With new wine bars popping up across Edinburgh, there are plenty of places to discover a decent glass of vino these days…
Good Brothers
Good Brothers in Stockbridge has garnered a strong reputation since its opening last summer. Owned and run by two local brothers (shocker), the list of wines veers to minimal intervention and sustainable practices, with around half boasting the labels ‘organic’ or ‘biodynamic’. The food, as well as the usual cheese/charcuterie suspects, includes an impressive range of inventive small dishes, amongst them turnip tops, nettles, split dill cream, and pulled pork, pine crust, sweetcorn, goats curd. If you haven’t been yet, you should make it your business to change that.
Veeno
Brightly-coloured and welcoming, Veeno specialises in Sicilian wines (all from Caruso & Minini, a family-run vineyard which has been producing grapes since the 19th Century) and spuntini (platters of meats, cheeses and other appetisers, imported from Italian producers and generous enough to pass as dinner if you fancy a drink straight from work). Its contemporary feel doesn’t detract from its authenticity. Perfectly placed on Rose Street for the city centre, after-work crowd, with another branch due to open at Quartermile.
Divino Enoteca
The dark and polished interior of Divino Enoteca, a subterranean Italian wine cellar, is a hit with the romantically inclined. Cleverly composed wine flights and myriad excellent wines by the glass are available at the bar or in the conservatory, along with a range of Italian antipasti plates to share (or the adjoining elegant dining room has a sizeable a la carte offering). This is a place to hunker down and emerge hours later with a warm, wine glow.
Smith & Gertrude
Fancy a wine, and a cheese, and a bit of vinyl? This is the place to find it. A success story from the moment they opened their doors on Hamilton Place, Smith & Gertrude is relaxed, always busy, and the large communal table in the middle of it all encourages you to love thy neighbour. Featuring the occasional pop-up coffee stall from the Bearded Barista, there’s more to this place than booze et fromage.
Pickles
Pickles is a basement retreat from the bustle of Broughton Street. A far cry from the current trend for minimal grey and white, the interior is a cosy blend of green and tweeds, fairy lights and rustic wood. Their USP is in the name: while you’ll find the obligatory sharing plates of cheese and meats, theirs come with pickles and chutney aplenty. (As an aside, they also have bowls of cheesy balls. Sold). Dogs are welcome too, so you can bring a canine pal.
Vino
This group of independent wine shops has broken into bar territory with their newest branch at Waverly Arches. Wine shop and bar combined, Vino is like a modern-day retail superhero du vin. The massive rotating selection offers something from most wine producing countries, as well as a good range of beers. Perfectly positioned for a glass of something before dinner next door at the Chop House sounds like a pretty decent night to us.
Fat Pony
A new wine bar from restaurateur David Ramsden (Rogue, The Dogs) is coming soon to Bread Street. You’ll find wines from Bulgaria, Romania, Crete and Corfu, as well as the classic Burgundies and Bordeaux. Watch this space...
Main image: Smith & Gertrude, Susie Lowe