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Red, White and Rosettes

World-class wines and Britain's best restaurants

AA World Travel Library Hotels and restaurants of every kind are now making a real effort with their wine lists. It is not just the presentation that has improved, but also the choice of wines they feature. Many lists include wines from smaller producers and vineyards, adding interest and diversity. And there is an increasing trend to offer flexibility to diners with more wines by the glass.

New World wines continue to be the most popular choices, as they have been for the last five or six years. But French wines are enjoying something of a revival. This is partly due to fashion, and also evidence of more competitive pricing on French wine.

AA World Travel Library Matching food with wine is a growing feature of many menus. As well as the tasting menu (where a chef puts together a menu of signature dishes, perhaps six or seven small courses, including wines for each course) some restaurants also suggest particular wines with certain dishes.

Each year the AA Restaurant Guide shortlists about 150 restaurants whose wine lists offer excellent quality and choice. They range from welcoming local establishments to the fashionable venues of the world's finest chefs. Here is a selection of restaurants from our 'wine list' where you can also book online.

Scotland

Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh
'well-presented wine list, carefully chosen with quality selections throughout'

Atrium, Edinburgh
'excellent all-round wine list with concise tasting notes throughout'

England

The Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire
'stunning, award-wining wine list full of the finest quality including an impressive sherry list'

Midsummer House Restaurant, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
'the extensive wine list features some of the finest wines from around the world'

Auberge du Lac, Welwyn, Hertfordshire
'great selection ranging from classic old world wines to some notable new world choices'

London

Bonds, EC2
'well-presented and organised list with good tasting notes'

Morgan M, N7
'well-presented, predominately French wine list'

Boxwood Café, SW1
'quality wine list catergorised by drinking styles, including a reserve listings of some rare wines'

Fifth Floor Restaurant, SW1
'comprehensive wine list offering depth in every area. Really good selection of wines by the glass as well as some wine flights focusing on regionality and grape variety'

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, SW3
'extensive and immaculate list offering depth in every area, a thoughtful selection by the glass, and an informative sommelier selection'

Tom Aikens, SW3
'extensive and serious wine list, expertly chosen with particularly strong Rhone and Burgundy lists'

The Greyhound at Battersea, SW11
'exciting and enthusiastic wine list with stunning selections, catergorised by grape type throughout'

Enoteca Turi, SW15
'superb Italian list with detailed and great tasting notes'

Chez Bruce, SW17
'pure enthusiasm throughout with quality selections on every page and expert guidance'

Blandford Street, W1
'interesting and carefully chosen wine list with every wine featuring a detailed and informative tasting note'

The Greenhouse, W1
'probably one of the largest wine lists in the UK with high-quality listings in every area'

Pied à Terre, W1
'a wine list full of passion, depth and top quality, complimented by an excellent wine team'

Sketch (Lecture Room & Library), W1
'beautifully chosen wine list full of quality wines throughout and complete with tasting notes'

The Square, W1
'top-class wine list full of first-class growers and vintages'

Clos Maggiore, W1
'one of the largest wine lists in the UK with over 2,000 bins offering great depth and quality throughout'

The Glasshouse, Kew
'superb all-round wine list, beautifully presented with quality selections in every area'

 

AA Restaurant Guide

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