I love wine bars and continental tapas and cicchetti dining. This is probably why I adore the Venetian culture. Cheerfully, I don’t have to board a plane or even trudge into London to get my fix as I have a great gem right here in Surrey; Chipstead to be precise.
The Grape Variety (TGV) wine bar combines an upmarket, chic city wining and dining vibe with the inviting cosiness and intimacy of a village local. It caters for a broad spectrum of people and occasions. It’s perfect for wine connoisseurs but equally fun and accessible for non-expert wine enthusiasts. I’ve enjoyed a quick glass of wine with my other half, a weekend lunch with the family and spent several evenings out there with friends, and each time it’s been a wonderful experience. The staff, led by the exceptionally knowledgeable bar manager Adrian, provide expert guidance without a sniff of snobbishness.
The wines at The Grape Variety
TGV always boasts a wide range of wines and its list changes regularly. The self-service wine station allows patrons to try tasters of various wines (think Vagabond but cheaper). They have a very healthy list of wines by the glass ranging from a super-affordable Côtes De Gascogne, Duffour Père Et Fils (2023) – a light, crisp and zesty drop, which makes a lovely aperitif – which comes in at just £5 for 125ml to the rich and plummy Puglian ‘I Muri’ Primitivo, Vigneti del Salento at a mid-range £7.50 (125ml) through to the higher priced Champagne and premium sparklings from Cataluña and the Loire.
On my most recent trip, I tried a bottle of the 2021 ‘Palazzo Della Torre’, Allegrini (£39) from the Veneto region of Italy. This is a plush, complex and full-bodied wine, which was wonderfully smooth and, on the palate, was full of ripe red and dark fruit flavours including cherry, blackberry and plum and had vanilla and spicy hints. A versatile wine, it pairs extremely well with a diverse selection of items on TGV’s menu.
I also had a glass of the Willunga 100 McLaren Vale, 2022, Grenache. It’s a full-bodied, bright and juicy wine with red cherry fruit. The classic Grenache spice shines through with notes of white pepper and hints of dried herbs. This pairs brilliantly with cheese and red meats.
There have been many other memorable wines sampled at TGV on previous visits. The Domaine du Météore Léonides comes from a unique Faugères estate, the site of a meteor strike 10,000 years ago; the vines grow within and around its crater. The Léonides is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault; it has black fruit - particularly blackcurrant - and thyme aromas. It's full, earthy and savoury on the palate with mushroom, leather and even balsamic notes. I loved it.
I was also a big fan of Domus Vini’s Lugana Garda DOC (2021) that I have had there. This makes a great aperitivo wine and transitions perfectly to accompany cheese and charcuterie. Hailing from the beautiful Lake Garda area, this 100% Turbiana aka Verdicchio has floral, apricot and delicate almond aromas. It's fresh and vibrant with continued almond and citrus on the palate alongside subtle honey notes.
The Grape Variety has some great drinks to finish off your visit. I love its Pedro Ximénez ‘El Candado’ sweet sherry. This is full of figs, raisins and dates and tastes like Christmas in a glass; delicious! They also have a lovely selection of local gins on offer (and other spirits).
Food at The Grape Variety Wine Bar
The cheese and charcuterie boards are amongst the stars of the show and are a great sharing option. They comprise a selection of Spain’s, France’s, Italy’s and England’s finest. I’ve sampled lovely prosciutto, chorizo, Manchego, black bomber Cheddar, Somerset brie, to name a few. Their platters also came with bread, crackers and chutney and great accompaniments such as habas fritas. I can never get past their superlative baked Camembert with honey and sourdough toast. The Patatas a la Riojana’ (potatoes with chorizo) are mouth-wateringly good, and the ‘Gamba de Palamos’ - a cross between a mousse and a pâté made with the famous Spanish red prawns, bursts with flavour, it’s divine and is like spreading lobster bisque on toast.
Mezze favourites such as baba ganoush, hummus, falafels and pittas feature alongside pastry-based goodies from the independent bakery Lockdown Bakehouse.
There are always a variety of special days and nights including regular wine-tasting events and weekly Thursday pizza night, where they play host to the Hungry Mate Pizza catering truck. These wood-fired oven, Italian-base pizzas are top drawer.
The Grape Variety truly offers something for everyone – great wines, delicious food, and a welcoming atmosphere perfect for any occasion (don’t forget to check out their downstairs Green Room). Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just looking for a cosy spot to unwind, this Chipstead gem never disappoints.
Find out more about what some of The Epsom & Ewell Families team thought of TGV here.
Find The Grape Variety at 12 Chipstead Station Parade, Chipstead, CoulsdonCR5 3TE
Website: https://thegrapevariety.com/
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