Dining and fine wining in London

Once upon a time, wine bars were the preserve of pinstriped city boys and their chardonnay-sipping secretaries whose aim was to get as drunk as possible - which meant they didn't mind mopping up the booze with a hunk of warm cheese and a few limp salad leaves. But there's now a new wave of venues attracting savvy customers who want their wines matched by equally good food, at prices that won't break the bank. These exciting new destination bars cater to wine buffs and gastronomes alike, offering boutique vintages from niche producers alongside innovative menus. Here's our guide to the best...

Terroirs
A Timely reminder of what wining and dining is all about: great wines, great food and good times. no wonder this West end venue is always packed with French expats, suits and wine buffs, all mingling amicably. inspired by the Parisian trend for "natural" wine bars, the predominantly French and italian list is heavy on biodynamic wines (the new organic, don't you know), with a changing roster by the glass and carafe. Bottles start at £15.30. As great a draw is chef ed Wilson's dream menu of rustic dishes from France, italy and Spain, with whole sections devoted to cheese, charcuterie and bar snacks designed for sharing or hogging. Our favourites are the piperade basquaise (a traditional Basque breakfast, £6), pistachio-studded terrine (£6) and whole baked Vacherin cheese (£32). The lunch deal's a steal at £10 with a glass of wine.
Terroirs, 5 William IV Street, WC1 (020 7036 0660)

Negozio Classica
This place is living proof that there's more to italian wine than pinot grigio. There's no wine list to speak of, but who needs one when you can simply peruse the shelves? Takeaway prices are marked on each bottle, with plenty under a tenner and there's a £6.50 corkage charge if you choose to drink your purchase in-house. The menu is based on authentic ingredients. Try figs and proper buffalo mozzarella (£8.95), or swordfish carpaccio (£11.95). if it's wine-tasting you're after, grab a seat by the bar to sample a glass (£3.25 to £14.25) or aim for a cosy seat in the snug back room.
Negozio Classica, 283 Westbourne Grove, W11 (020 7034 0005)

Vinoteca
Smithfield's Vinoteca is inspired by the "enotecas" and "vinotecas" of italy and Spain, where you can enjoy a post-work tipple and a few slivers of ham before sloping off home with a bottle. Vinoteca has ditched greedy restaurant mark-ups and opted for a transparent pricing policy that sees margins reduce the higher you go in price. So the more you spend, the more you save. All 280 wines are available to drink in or to take away with a weekly changing list of 25 varieties by the glass (from £3.25). The cooking breaks the old wine bar mould, too, with a daily changing menu of dishes such as roasted beetroot and ricotta salad (£9.25) or venison haunch with Jerusalem artichokes and cep sauce (£16.50).
Vinoteca, 7 St John Street, EC1 (020 7253 8786)

Princess Victoria
The imposing red-brick Princess Victoria gets an honorary mention in the wine bar category, even though the menu is pure gastropub. The lengthy wine list, mini-wine shop and professional sommelier service point to an obsession with wine from all over the world. The bar menu suggests an obsession with all things porcine, including pig's cheek (£3.50), home-made pork scratchings (£2) and a terrine of jellied pig's head and ham hock (£9.50). Potted crab, £9, is a lighter alternative.
Princess Victoria, 217 Uxbridge Road, W12 (020 8749 5886)

Bedford & Strand
This lively basement wine bar certainly looks the part with its zinc counter and bent-wood chairs, but is also full of quirks entirely its own, such as the tempting deli counter from which stunning charcuterie and cheese boards (£10-£18) are dispensed with hunks of freshly baked sourdough. Also on offer are daily specials such as Thursday's slowroasted lamb shoulder (£14.50), or Friday's fish and chips (£13.50) as well as the more retro Waldorf salad (£8.50). As you'd expect from the brainchild of ex-Oddbins buyer Nick Blacknell - one of the bar's founders - Bedford & Strand's aim is to demystify the snooty world of wine, meaning bottles are simply listed as "honest", "decent" or "good" with plenty falling between £18.50 and £26. Corksniffers need not apply.
Bedford & Strand, 1a Bedford Street, WC2 (020 7836 3033)

Artisan & Vine
Ex-management consultant Kathryn O'mara turned her back on the City six months ago to open this bar and shop specialising in "natural" wines made organically, biodynamically and without any nasties. But this isn't hippy hemp juice. A&V's boutique wines are made by dynamic young producers and taste amazing. Discover what it's all about by ordering a £10 "flight" - three different wines - or attend one of the informal Wednesday night tastings (£10 a head). The menu features home-style suppers such as lamb shank with sweet potato mash (£10.95), plus cheese and charcuterie platters.
Artisan & Vine, 126 St John's Hill, SW11 (020 7228 4997)