Brightons Biggest Collection

Industry experts bring Brighton’s biggest collection of wine and spirits to the city’s new Bootlegger bar

Brighton’s newest bar launches this month, bringing the largest selection of wines and spirits to L’Atelier Du Vin. Located in the heart of the North Laine, the ex Hotel du Vin team have created a secret bar you’ll want to discover the door to. The “Bootlegger” bar has been two years in the making, fusing a partnership between two of the industry’s top experts, Steve Pineau and Dimitri Mesnard. Protégé’s of Gerard Basset OBE (Master Sommelier and Master of Wine) having worked for so many years under his wing and his profound and iconic expertise, the duo have created a place where “wine meets bar”.

Co-owner, Steve says, “We wanted to create a space that we could have fun with, where people can discover great wines and rare vintages, stepping back into the prohibition era where real cocktails were created. We’ve put it together with our own hands and want people to come and enjoy the space, feeling at home.”

Translating as an “artists’ studio of wine”, you’ll discover the space through a secret door off Kensington Gardens, transporting you back to the 1920s to find mismatched cosy furniture, welcoming you to while away the hours. The salvaged space makes the most of the exposed brickwork and rafters, with low lighting and misty jazz sounds setting the perfect atmosphere for popping in to enjoy a glass of wine and a bite to eat, or spending the whole night comfortably sipping on cocktails.

Boasting the most extensive wine menu in Brighton, L’Atelier Du Vin is home to a selection of more than 500 wines and some 300 spirits. Sommelier Stefano Angeloni’s focus is to make wine accessible, with prices to suit all budgets, from as little as around £4 for a quality glass to distinct vintages in their hundreds.

Steve and Dimitri’s mentor, Gerard Basset, will be providing an evolving wine selection of six prestigious wines, half of which you can order by the glass. By using Coravin technology, L’Atelier Du Vin are able to offer exceptional wines by the glass; wines that would normally only be available by the bottle and out of the budget for most.

Sip cocktails at the bar, hand built by co-owner Steve using vintage drawers and covered in two pence pieces – a homage to his arrival in the UK some twenty years ago. Theme Magazine’s “UK Best Bartender” in 2002 and co-founder of “In Vino Veritas”, previously winner of the Best 50 Bars in the world, Steve knows how to make award winning cocktails and will be leading a strong team of mixologists including Bar Manager, Giuseppe Mannini, who trained at London’s famous Opium bar. Their cocktail menu is classically inspired and organised chronologically for the cocktail’s invention, creating authentic cocktails stripped back to their original inspiration and flavour, also making cocktails with a modern twist. L’Atelier Du Vin Brighton is about enjoyment not snobbery.

Whilst developing L’Atelier Du Vin’s concept over the past two years, the duo had time to hunt for the highest quality vintage spirits, including 1950’s Gordon’s Gin, with a distinct flavour, and at 47% proof, exceptional strength. For regulars, these vintage spirits are available to buy by the bottle and ‘lock’ behind the bar, so you can visit at any time, take your favourite seat and order your bottle or preferred cocktail using your own spirit, just like you would at home.

Heading up the wine side of the bar, co-owner and Master Sommelier, Dimitri Mesnard, has dedicated most of his life to wine, completing his sommelier training in the beautiful surrounds of the Loire Valley before moving to the UK in 1996 to work at Raymond Banc’s two Michelin starred Le Manior Aux Quat’Saisons. Having worked under the stewardship of Henri Chapon (Master Sommelier & 1995 UK Sommelier of the year) & Gerard Basset, Gerard Basset being one of the greatest wine professionals of his generation, Dimitri will be bringing a wild diversity of wines to L’atelier Du Vin. The wine list combines exciting wine regions from across the world, allowing guests to travel between small appellations to very fine and rare wines.

Whilst the main focus of the space is the drinks, the team have created a small, but well paired menu which includes steak sourced locally from Trenchmore Farm and a selection of charcuterie and cheeses to compliment the wine and cocktail list. For steak lovers that want to take their dining experience to the next level, a personalised steak knife will be available to use on every visit.

L’Atelier Du Vin isn’t just a bar or a place to meet, it’s a place for guests to relax and feel as comfortable as they would in their own home, whist being taken on a journey through regions and time to explore a plethora of flavours. Opening to the public on Friday 16th March, offering two for one on a selection of wines and cocktails between 5 and 7pm, Sunday to Friday. The bar will be open from midday each day, closing on Tuesdays. Visit www.Latelierduvin.co.uk to find out how you can experience Brighton’s biggest selection of wines and spirits, being part of one of Brighton’s best kept secrets.