Wine lists can often be hard to decipher. Happily, that’s not the case at Humble Grape, where the menu is peppered with informative and funny descriptions (‘Refreshing’, ‘Bright’, ‘Challenging to pronounce’). With branches already in Battersea and Fleet Street, this third Humble Grape in north London follows suit with an unpretentious approach to wine.
The bar’s decor is fairly minimal, a light and airy spot just off Upper Street with muted tones and dark cork pendant lamps and tabletops – a nod to the booze that doesn’t feel gimmicky. There’s a relaxed vibe and staff are friendly and knowledgeable, making sure you’re ordering something you’ll like without ever being patronising. The detailed menu descriptions make it easier to try something a little different than your go-to glass of Sauvignon Blanc – like a white in the Txakoli Rezabal family, a fizzy number from the Basque region that was poured from a height and served in a tumbler (as is traditional, according to our waiter).
When done browsing the 30 different wines available by the glass, we moved to bar snacks and small plates consisting of grilled chorizo and creamy burrata. If you’re not ready to stop at last orders, you can buy a bottle of wine to take home from a well-stocked bottle shop.
All in all, it’s a lovely neighbourhood wine bar. In fact, Humble Grape might have reason to start feeling a little bit smug.