On a perfectly beautiful sunny summer evening, I made my way to Blackheath for a bloggers evening at a French Wine Bar. A first for both going to Blackheath and a French wine bar that claimed to be halfway between a pub and a restaurant.
I think I walked past the bar once before I finally understood my google map. There is something very welcoming about the simple wooden interiors and large paintings that made me want to just dump my bag and get started with a chilled glass of wine. First up we were served a Champagne Rose’ and hors d’oeuvre of regular stuff like sun-dried tomatoes – not in oil as I expected but these were nice and tangy, very dry on their own though, sweet mini peppers stuffed with cheese and served with Tapenade.
Le Bar a Vin has ample seating indoors and out on street, it is tastefully done and perfect for an evening out with friends or with family to have that one glass or carafe of wine, gaze at the beautiful surroundings and drink in the ambience. Also good to grab a high stool, drink a glass of red with a date.
The sunshine and a comfy table visible outside from the beautiful big windows were too hard to resist so we moved outside to soak up some sun, there was a light breeze …just perfect to get started on wine! (Got me dreaming of the perfect Parisian evening and winding down a day of sightseeing by settling down with a refreshing glass of red at a cute French Wine Bar). Well with the 120 wines on offer with a distinctly French touch, I was all set to order my white wine, I wanted a light and slightly sweet one so on Jean-Philippe’s recommendation I got a German white called Gewürztraminer – an aromatic white which goes well with cheese and fatty gamey meat and tastes like lychees, floral and with tiny bubbles in the glass. I loved it! I could have done with some bread but thankfully didn’t have any just then as the charcuterie and cheese were yet to arrive. It was fun deciding what cheese to choose with the charcuterie.
I choose Comte – a 24-month-old mature cheese with a nutty flavour & hard but creamy texture, Secret – a cheese I’ve never had before – its made from unpasteurised cows milk with fruity and nutty notes and last one I gave in to a desire for some blue cheese with Forme d’ Ambert – a creamy and very light blue cheese – prefect to slather onto the accompanying bread. Before our beautiful cheese and charcuterie boards reached our table, little did I expect such large portions, it was more than enough and served as a very satisfying main course.
I was seated with some very friendly bloggers and conversation flowed as smoothly as the wine.
That is a picture of my delicious cheese and charcuterie served with red grapes, pickles and dried apricots – perfect with the platter.
L-R Starting Top left clockwise: Comte Saucisson a traditional tasty pork sausage with Comte’, Walnut Saucisson – pork sausage nutty and dry but very delicious and a pepper Saucisson 100% pork sausage aged in black pepper.
I finished my cheese off with some Spanish Red – Rioja – intense on spices and oak, fruity with a hint of liquorice.
Travelling into Blackheath by train and walking up the high street is like getting out-of-town into a nearby modern village. Le Bar a Vin is Blackheath’s answer to an independently owned wine bar with a good selection of wine and cheese, in contrast to the many chains that otherwise easily take over the majority of the high street. It’s the kind of place you could back to many times over and even make your favourite haunt if you are a local – easy.
Looking for inspiration for an evening out in London? Why not browse through some of my other review posts? Get the inside scoop of where to head for everything from the most authentic Indian food to cracking cocktails!
Dreaming of travelling and enjoying local wines and fab food? Let me tempt you with more posts that will make you want to grab your suitcase, book your tickets and head straight to the airport!
- Enjoy mouthwatering cichetti with amazing wines just like the locals do in Venice: Best local wine bar in Venice
- Get a crash course on Gouda with a fabulous wine tasting experience in Amsterdam: Cheese and wine tasting in Amsterdam with Reypenaer
For some wine related recipe inspiration, check out my easy recipes here:
*With thanks to Jean-Philippe Tessier for the invite. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. Previously known as Le Bouchon.
