Bath has always had a fabulous selection of independent shops and the wine merchants are no exception. We are blessed with so many indy wine shops each with their own distinct character and specialities. I’ve put together a list of my favourites to help you get the most out what the city has to offer.

BECKFORD BOTTLE SHOP

5-8 Saville Row, Bath BA1 2QP

The Beckford Bottle Shop is an absolute treasure trove of wine and it’s easy to get lost in here for hours. Travis, the wine shop manager, is extremely knowledgable and gives great recommendations. I popped in a few months ago to buy some sherry for a tasting and couldn’t believe the level of detail in which he described the choices on offer. I left with two really unusual and delicious sherries! They have a great selection of wines from all over the world with prices to suit every budget.

Due to lockdown restrictions they have reduced their opening times to Fridays and Saturdays only between 9am and 6pm. They also offer free local delivery on those days.

Bonus: The bistro, although currently closed, is top-notch and the only establishment in Bath to hold Michelin’s Bib Gourmand award for good quality, good value cooking. It has lovely old fashioned vibe and yet the small plates are modern, fresh and innovative. It’s worth going purely for the Bath Chaps and the Anchovy Toast. I’m salivating just at the thought!

Best for: Old World & Fine Wines. The selection of French, Italian and Spanish wines is superb!

The Experience Creator Recommends: Domaine Burle, Est-ce que, Vaucluse, France, £12.50. Southern Rhône style blend offering lots of plummy fruit and sweet spice. Fantastic value and maybe a little too easy to drink!

CRU WINES

4 Silver St, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1JX

Ok so technically this one isn’t in Bath but it deserves a special mention for their great range and personable service. Located in the charming town of Bradford-on-Avon just 8 miles outside of Bath, Cru Wines is well worth the short trip from the city.

The owner, Leanne, is passionate about bringing the joy of wines to everyone and believes wine should be accessible and fun. No wine snobbery here, just a genuine love of wine and a talent for seeking out unusual, off the beaten track wines. Wine shops like Cru really make you see the benefit of going to an independent over the supermarket. I have never been disappointed with a recommendation and the service is so warm and friendly you’re bound to have a good chat while you’re there!

Bonus: Just a short walk from Cru is The Cheese Shop, run by Frenchman Christophe, where you can buy some delectable cheese and charcuterie to accompany your wines! Visit The Cheese Shop for more details.

Best for: Great value, unusual wines. Cru prides itself in putting you at the centre of the wine buying experience through suggesting bottles that are not only interesting but also very affordable.

The Experience Creator Recommends: Château De L'Aumerade, Aumérade Style Rosé, Côtes De Provence, France £12.99. A classic example of Provence rosé which exudes peach and floral aromas. It’s superb value for money and actually better than a lot of the more famous and expensive Provence wines.

Amathus is my one stop shop when I’m looking for top quality spirits but they also some really wonderful wines. The staff are always very willing to help but not in that pushy, follow you around the shop kind of way! I’ve always found that they have an impressive ability to recommend wines from more unusual places that suit my preferences. Tell them what you like and they’ll come up with something new for your to try. Thanks to Amathus, I’ve been able to explore lesser-known regions and feel confident that I’m going to get something that I love!

Bonus: Amathus has an extraordinary selection of spirits that are hard to find in other places. You can easily find yourself going in for a bottle of wine and leaving with a bottle of artisanal English gin or rare Caribbean rum.

Best for: Spirits & Special Occasions. I do find the average price of their wines to be a little pricier so while this might not be your everyday wine shop it’s certainly worth visiting to pick up weekend treats and special splurges.

The Experience Creator Recommends: Avantis Estate Malagousia, Evia, Greece £14.59. This was my first foray into the world of Greek wines which can be a little intimidating due to the lack of familiarity with their indigenous grapes. It was recommended to me on the basis that I love more aromatic and full-bodied whites like Viognier. It didn’t disappoint and can’t wait to buy it again!

THE GREAT WINE CO.

Wells Rd, Bath BA2 3AP

If Beckford Bottle Shop is a treasure trove then The Great Wine Co. (formerly Great Western Wine), is an Aladdin’s cave! With more than 35 years of bringing wines from across the globe to the residents of Bath, they know what they’re doing! The selection of over 800 bottles boasts an impressive array of top class wines as well as plenty of excellent New World bargains. It wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice for seeking out more unusual wines but if I’m looking for a Cru Classé or a celebratory sparkling this is where I would head to. Having said that, I’ve picked up some very good value wines here also, particularly from South Africa and Argentina. The MAN Padstal Chardonnay is one of my favourite sippers at less than £10 a bottle and I’m also a fan of their Franck Massard wines.

Bonus: The Great Wine Co. stocks some really intriguing sweet wines which provide the perfect accompaniment for dessert or sipped chilled as a digestif. With everything from Sauternes and Tokaji to Late Harvest and Ice Wine you’re sure to find your perfect sweet treat.

Best for: Champagnes & Sparkling Wines. To be fair, they have something to suit everyone here but their bubbly range is excellent.

The Experience Creator Recommends: Peller Estates, Ice Cuvée Sparkling, Niagara Peninsula, Canada £30. This sparkling wine is simply wonderful and I’m thrilled to have discovered it! They add a dosage of Ice Wine after disgorgement which gives the wine these delightful flavours of apricot and honey. Not too sweet but not as dry as a Brut. We bought six bottles of this for a family get together just before Covid and I still have one bottle left that I’m saving for a post-Covid celebration!