Where to drink wine in the South West

Whether you’re searching for homegrown English wine, an unusual bottle by the glass or a sommelier who knows exactly what to pour next, these South West restaurants take their wine as seriously as their food

A great wine list can change the course of a meal. It might introduce you to a small producer you’ve never encountered, persuade you away from your usual bottle or provide a pairing that makes you experience a dish differently.

The best restaurants in the South West put careful thought into what fills their cellars. Some offer extensive lists spanning the world’s great wine regions, while others favour tightly edited collections of bottles from lesser-known growers, independent producers and emerging regions. The best aren’t necessarily the biggest – they’re the ones that feel characterful and in tune with the food.

There are plenty of opportunities to explore, too. Wines by the glass and considered pairings make it possible to try something unfamiliar without committing to a bottle, while knowledgeable sommeliers and front-of-house teams can steer diners towards discoveries without making the process feel intimidating.

Increasingly, those discoveries are being made close to home. The South West’s thriving wine industry means locally produced sparkling, white, rosé and red wines are finding their way onto restaurant lists alongside established names from further afield. For diners, there’s particular pleasure in drinking a wine shaped by the same landscape as the food on the plate.

Whether you’re looking for an impressive cellar, an unexpected bottle, a thoughtful pairing or simply somewhere to enjoy a very good glass of wine with dinner, these are the Trencherman’s restaurants where what’s poured deserves as much attention as what’s served.