Passione Vino

This place has replaced City Beverage as my favourite local wine shop. The staff really know their Italian wines and are very friendly… no pretension!
I asked my guide for a really minerally white wine and they guy gave me something that felt like I was eating the clay hills of Italy. It was amazing.
Really good, my only request is that these guys horizontally integrate into craft beer and start selling good local beers too… I would then be a weekly customer!

Passione Vino = «passion wine»
And, indeed that is the case over here on Leonard Street, at this gorgeous boutique Italian wine shop.
My expectation was that I’d make a quick visit (on my list for ages), leave with a few interesting bottles of wine and be very happy to drink them at home with friends over dinner.
And my expectations were FAR surpassed. WHOA, this place is excellent!
I had about 20 minutes so I grabbed my pup for a walk with PV as my destination.
The moment I walked in the door Luca (owner) popped up from the office all smiles (and smartly dressed in a gorgeous pink jumper!), greeted me (and my dog!) warmly and asked me what he could help with. I had vague instructions from my husband for a «mineraly» white, a «floral» white and then some bottles of red. I shared this information with Luca — and he went to work. I could almost hear the gears turning in his brain as he readied the recommendations!
He asked me price point (most bottles fall in the £15−30 range), and then began selecting some the thought would be good choices. Not only did he select them, but gave me an entire backstory on each one, the process in which they were made, the region of Italy, right down to the idiosyncrasies of the winemaker. I had no idea I’d be getting such a robust education, my only regret is that I didn’t have more time to be regaled with the history of each!
I settled on 5 bottles to bring back, and they were carefully wrapped in paper and placed in very nice canvas totes.
This smart operation also does wine tastings and small plates (by reservation only) in their secret basement. Luca gave me the full tour, and of course — that’s the next on my list for the next time I have a smallish group to entertain. I can only imagine what a treat it would be.
New favorite wine shop in London. If you like Italian wines, these are your guys and it will be worth your trip.
*accepts credit cards.