Christophe Decoux

2019 profile

Head sommelier – The River Café

The River Café is one of London’s most well-respected restaurants, and Christophe Decoux is the venue’s leading sommelier. Having trained as a mechanical engineer, Christophe moved to Paris in 1994 and slowly, as have so many others, became enmeshed in the world of hospitality, dining and wine.

Two years later, having worked at a few restaurants, he spread his wings to London, which was experiencing a food revival that would ultimately help lay the foundations for the dining scene we enjoy to this day. Christophe worked for the front-of-house team for Gordon Ramsay at Aubergine, then for Rowley Leigh at Kensington Place.

In 2000 he found himself at The River Café, run by the founders Ruth Rogers and the late Rose Gray. It was here, Christophe has remarked, that he really discovered the joy of wine tasting, which he enjoyed with Rose’s son, Ossie. Having completed his wine qualifications, he and Ossie set about creating what is arguably London’s best list for Italian wines. It features all the very best names of Tuscany and Piedmont you might expect – Antinori, Conterno, Gaja, Sassicaia, Frescobaldi, Giacosa and so on – but Christophe has also tracked down the small gems that make Italy such a vibrant place to explore, viticulturally.

Alongside the noble Nebbiolos and stately Super Tuscans are wines from Etna and Friuli, light reds made from Refosco and Schioppettino, southern Italy’s Fiano, Greco di Tufo and Aglianico, and Josko Gravner’s much sought-after ‘orange’ wines made from Vitovska. A small selection of Champagne is a nod to both Christophe’s real roots as well as Britain’s love for the greatest of all fizz, but there’s also a selection of Franciacorta for those intrigued by what’s happening on the other side of the Alps. The selection of wines served by the glass is extensive, and changes with the seasons and the menu.

Truly, there is almost no better place in London for the Italian wine lover to lose themselves.

Leave your reply

Most Recent Stories

WLC Eats: 20 Berkeley

Douglas Blyde heads to newly-opened Mayfair joint 20 Berkeley to give his assessment on what this manor house-inspired offering from Creative Restaurant Group is in need of.

Where to go for a Negroni in London

As it's Negroni Week, there is no better time to treat yourself to the iconic ruby red cocktail. Here are six of the best spots to drink Negronis in the UK capital.

Restaurant threatens to sue over one-star review

An Australian restaurant is threatening to sue a customer for defamation after she claimed in an online review that the food was "inedible", "greasy" and "limp".

Maggie Jones's shuts doors following electrical fire

The Kensington restaurant has been forced to temporarily close its doors following an electrical fire in August, with plans to reopen in 2024.

Church in Cornwall slammed for installing beer pumps

A church in Cornwall has had beer pumps installed to serve local beer, dividing the congregation in opinion over the decision.

Most Recent Stories

WLC Eats: 20 Berkeley

Douglas Blyde heads to newly-opened Mayfair joint 20 Berkeley to give his assessment on what this manor house-inspired offering from Creative Restaurant Group is in need of.

Where to go for a Negroni in London

As it's Negroni Week, there is no better time to treat yourself to the iconic ruby red cocktail. Here are six of the best spots to drink Negronis in the UK capital.

Restaurant threatens to sue over one-star review

An Australian restaurant is threatening to sue a customer for defamation after she claimed in an online review that the food was "inedible", "greasy" and "limp".

Maggie Jones's shuts doors following electrical fire

The Kensington restaurant has been forced to temporarily close its doors following an electrical fire in August, with plans to reopen in 2024.

Church in Cornwall slammed for installing beer pumps

A church in Cornwall has had beer pumps installed to serve local beer, dividing the congregation in opinion over the decision.