1707 Wine Bar - Wine with a Difference

Visitors to London’s majestic and historic department stores will tell you of the quintisential experience of tea in the tea rooms of these grand establishments. Whether it’s Harrods, Liberty, or Fortnum and Mason, what could be better than a relaxing cup of tea?

Well, I’ll tell you. What could be better? Wine and cheese at 1707, the wine bar beneath Fortnum and Mason. 1707 is a oasis of calm compared to the at-times manic crowds above on Picadilly, and the crush of tourists that often frequent the aforementioned tea rooms. But that’s not all. What better sanctuary can you imagine than one that presents you with an inspired range of wine, champagne and other tipples from around the world, and matches it with a sumptuous selection of cheeses of every conceivable variety.

The range of wines is global, and set in comfortable surrounds including an impressive glass enclosed climate controlled cellar in the centre of the room. Riesling from Germany, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Chardonnay and Shiraz from Australia, and every conceivable French style and region. The varieties are impressive and represent their respective regions with flair.

For those of you not game to chance your knowledge of the vineyards of the world, 1707 has deveped the wine flight, comprising a perfect seletion of three wines. It’s ideal for those who can’t decide, or who like Lindsay and me, relish the surprise in accepting the combinations presented. To be honest, this is far less risky than you’d think, as 1707 employs expert somelliers to aid even the most indecisive of patrons.

A variety of wine flights are offered, but the best are often the signature wine flights that show case whatever vineyard or winery has stumped up the promotional cash (or pulled the necessary strings with their contacts) to be featured. I don’t mean this to sound as cynical as it does - it’s just a fact of retailing and marketing, regardless of the location. Our best to date has been the Veuve Fourny, a champagne label from Reims. We were graced with the Blanc de Blancs NV, the Premiere Cru NV, and finally the Blanc de Blancs Milliesime 2004. £30 for the lot. Each of these was exquisite, my favourite being the Premiere Cru as it was a “taché” (or pale salmon coloured, dry blush style champagne).

We matched the Verve Fourny with a selection of cheese from the amazing cheese cart. This wasn’t just the odd piece of cheddar and brie on a cheese board. This is more a temple of cheese, fit for worship. The picture doesn’t really do it justice. And the flavours? Well, I’m a bit of a cheese tragic, so I’m going to tell you every single one of them was divine! From rich, rind-washed French soft cheese, to an ash-covered mature goats cheese, each was full-bodied, and a perfect accompanyment to the champagne.

We concluded our afternoon interlude with a ballotin of truffles: two delectable chocolate truffles that I’m sure had an equally grand pedigree to the champagne and cheese … but to be honest, I’d scoffed them before I remembered to ask more about them :-)

A word of warning to those whose curiosity has been piqued. Stopping for tea might consume half and hour or so of your shopping afternoon. Stopping to indulge in the finest of wine and cheese from 1707 will likely take much more of your afternoon. We think that’s a good thing.

1707 Wine Bar
Fortnum & Mason
181 Picadilly
London
W1A 1ER
Ph: 0845 602 5694

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