Humble Grape Battersea Review

Humble Grape have been pouring thirsty wine lovers unique, distinctive and sustainable wines from small producers for over 10 years now, with venues in Battersea, Fleet Street, Liverpool Street, Islington and Canary Wharf. I was recently invited to visit the Battersea branch to check out the menu and enjoy some of the wines on offer.

Humble Grape Battersea is a neighbourhood wine bar on Battersea Rise. The upstairs is like a cool wine shop with tables; bottles lining the walls and well-worn wooden floors. Downstairs is like un underground dive bar, the scene of some wild lock-ins, no doubt.

We head downstairs and are seated at a cosy bench table in the corner with a view of the whole room and the well-stocked bar. My tablemate, Bailey, and I dive into the wine list with glee – we want to share a warming bottle of red to pair with the autumn vibes outside. There’s a lot to choose from and I always like to get the opinion of the staff, so we ask our waiter what’s good. 

Blackwater Noir MMXV

Based on the description of what we’re after, he recommends the Dominio de Punctum 2018 (Tempranillo and Petit Verdot), which we like the sound of, but then we see the Cellers Fuentes Finca El Puig from Priorat and the also the Terre Georges Minervois… Absolutely spoiled for choice! After some samples, we end up deciding to go South African and settle on the Blackwater Noir MMXV from Swartland, a Syrah-heavy blend with a pinch of Carignan and a peck of Grenache. 

Now, what grub to have with our glug? The menu, designed by the head chef and overseen by Executive Chef Dane Barnard, is brimming with all sorts of wine-friendly treats, including the classics like charcuterie, cheeses and seafood, as well as plant-based dishes like crispy cauliflower and grilled baby gem. Our eyes light up at the baked camembert with rosemary and confit garlic, ricotta ravioli with roast courgette and salsa verde and a side of grilled artichokes.

We can’t resist sharing a snack of cheese croquettes with tomato chilli jam, while we wait for the rest our food. The breadcrumb coating on the outside is gloriously crispy, cracking to reveal white gooey cheese inside. Ideal wine bar snacking and delicious alongside our juicy, spicy, tangy Blackwater Noir; its high acidity refreshes the palate after every bite.

Humble Grape has everything you would want from a bustling, down-to-earth wine haven. It’s just the right setting to share a good bottle (the list is fab) and a Camembert (highly recommended) and enjoy an unhurried, uninterrupted few hours.