New on Wine List Confidential: Kerridge’s Bar & Grill

Tom Kerridge’s new restaurant at London’s Corinthia Hotel boasts a budding, searching, flavour-forward list keenly exploring both England and Germany.

Before celebrity chef, Tom Kerridge became teetotal some five years ago, his “very versatile” palate saw he was “driven to try new wines from any origin,” says sharp-suited head sommelier, Charles Beaini, who has followed that philosophy on his 700 bin strong list.

Beaini, who studied maths and physics, was Thierry Tomasin’s protégé at Angelus, later moving to Kerridge’s two Michelin-starred Marlow pub with bedrooms and hot tubs, The Hand & Flowers. At Kerridge’s large London outpost in the former Massimo’s, characterised by two bronzes from Kerridge’s sculptor wife, Beth Cullen-Kerridge, arguably invasive pounding music, and paw print branding taken from the chef’s old dog, Georgie, wines must offer “quality, express their origin, and complement the current menu.”

There is a particular emphasis on homegrown produce, including an abundance of fizz, Welsh red, and a Surrey sown noble harvest sweetie – which could work well with a signature soufflé of banana with gingerbread ice cream and spiced rum sauce. “We are keen to grow this even further,” says Beaini, adding, “there is still a lot to explore and we are really excited by English sparkling and still wines.”

Compared to The Hand & Flowers, the wine list at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill is much larger, “reaching as many places in the world as possible.” Perhaps in honour of the origin of the charismatic, media friendly manager of The Corinthia Hotel, Thomas Kochs, there are no fewer than 30 from Germany. ‘But both lists share the principle of being terroir-led.’

Beaini gives the example of baked Mont d’Or cheese with 2010 Vin Jaune (Chateau Chalon, Jean Louis Tissot) as a particularly marvellous match, with his words describing both culinary match and working relationship betwixt Kerridge and Beaini. “A simple yet very rewarding combination.”

Leave your reply

Most Recent Stories

40% of restaurant food poisoning outbreaks due to sick workers

Investigators with the CDC have revealed that sick hospitality workers were the cause of 40% of food poisoning outbreaks at US restaurants between 2017 and 2019.

Arctic-aged English sparkling wine causes a splash in Norway

East Sussex's Rathfinny Estate partnered with Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten on a six month experiment that took English sparkling wine to new depths.

Laurent-Perrier launches summer terrace with Nobu

Champagne Laurent-Perrier will be hosting 'Serenity in the City', a new summer terrace at Portman Square's Nobu Hotel.

Drops of Gold? How adding gold nanoparticles can improve wine

Researchers in Australia have shown how gold nanoparticles can successfully remove unwanted sulphur aromas from wine through a scientific trial.

The best rosés from The Champagne Masters 2023

These are the leading rosés from this year's Champagne Masters, ranging from the young and fresh to the fully mature and vinous.

Most Recent Stories

40% of restaurant food poisoning outbreaks due to sick workers

Investigators with the CDC have revealed that sick hospitality workers were the cause of 40% of food poisoning outbreaks at US restaurants between 2017 and 2019.

Arctic-aged English sparkling wine causes a splash in Norway

East Sussex's Rathfinny Estate partnered with Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten on a six month experiment that took English sparkling wine to new depths.

Laurent-Perrier launches summer terrace with Nobu

Champagne Laurent-Perrier will be hosting 'Serenity in the City', a new summer terrace at Portman Square's Nobu Hotel.

Drops of Gold? How adding gold nanoparticles can improve wine

Researchers in Australia have shown how gold nanoparticles can successfully remove unwanted sulphur aromas from wine through a scientific trial.

The best rosés from The Champagne Masters 2023

These are the leading rosés from this year's Champagne Masters, ranging from the young and fresh to the fully mature and vinous.