Is it possible to fall in love with a place? Well, that’s what happened to me when we finally made it to the recently opened Sager + Wilde on Hackney Road. Fine wines in the coolest, most unpretentious surroundings… 

Or as the beautiful co-founder Charlotte Wilde puts it, “Our basic concept is low mark-up fine wines by the glass. We serve the best wine producers in the world in an unpretentious environment and relaxed space. It was important to us that we redefine the way people drink and feel about wine, it’s time to take the stuffiness away.” Not to mention the fabulous decor (reclaimed lights from German stations & 1950s British factories and a cast-iron pavement grating bar it took five men to lift!) plus delicious, perfectly presented bar snacks including sour dough bread by E5, yummy olives and salamis.

For a Sunday it was buzzing, but the minute we arrived I just felt like kicking back and chilling. Gus and I spent most of our time bothering Charlotte and her staff rushing behind the bar and taking photos but it was hard not to feel at home. Random facts – prior to doing up and opening the bar last August, Charlotte and and her other half Michael lived and worked San Francisco for three years before working the wine harvests across South America.

While Myles had an excellent glass of Rioja (there are over 30 wines to choose from), I went for a yummy grapefruit iced-tea, made with my favourite Rooibos. According to Time Out, with a flat rate mark-up of £20 on the bottles, the more expensive wines are actually better value, so time to indulge I reckon. Open in the evenings during the week, and afternoons and evenings on the weekend.

Keep up with the gorgeous husband and wife team Charlotte and Michael Sager-Wilde on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.