Two Bristol venues named in list of best wine bars in Britain

Two Bristol venues have made the Top 45 best wine bars in Britain according to The Times.

The list was compiled with the help of experts including drinks writers and bar owners and covers the entire UK, although the majority are in London.

Wine bars have enjoyed a comeback across Britain and they have shaken off their dark and underground image of the 1980s.

These days, wine bars are opening in old warehouses, railway arches and former corner shops in neighbourhoods across the country.

The two Bristol wine bars to feature in the Top 45 are Cave on Gloucester Road and Cotto Wine Bar and Kitchen in St Stephen’s Street, both in former shop premises.

A wine shop during the day and wine bar serving food in the evening, The Times experts describe Cave as offering ‘simple dishes paired with an extensive selection of organic and biodynamic wines’.

Cotto Wine Bar and Kitchen is run by the Bianchis group which also has restaurants such as the newly opened Pazzo on Whiteladies Road.

The Times described the St Stephen’s Street venue as ‘an excellent casual Italian wine bar’.

Cotto co-owner Dominic Borel told Bristol World: “Over the past few years, Cotto has seen a few transformations from La Sorella to Bar Ripiena and now finally Cotto Wine Bar and Kitchen.

“The chefs have worked hard with the team to bring a simple and delicious food offering and we have thought carefully about what wines we’d like to accompany this offering but also be versatile enough for people to enjoy casually.”