Long before most of United States was developed, in 1832, Charles Dickens, a young political journalist was frequenting a gentleman’s club called the ‘Wine Shades.’ Quite remarkably, by the time Dickens found the club it was alreThe Olde Wine Shades. 6 Martin Lane, London, EC4R 1BJady well established, 200 years established as it has been running since 1663, and it is the only wine bar to have survived the 1666 Great Fire of London. Today it goes by the name ‘The Olde Wine Shades’ and it is a real place to get a feel for wine, and in fact when you come in you will not find a single bottled beer or tap, which is quite remarkable for London. The bar itself specializes in Spanish, Portuguese and German wines, which dates back to the battle of Trafalgar, at which time England was embroiled in a furious battle with France, was not getting any of the French wine. There is something quite marvelous about frequenting a 300 year old establishment, pulling up a chair in a place where Dickens probably sat and ordering a Rioja from an estate that goes back further than one’s own family tree… it gives you a lot more to think about than the wine itself.

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