Thursday 16 August 2012

Hedonism Wines

Tomorrow a temple of fine wine opens in London. The Russian-owned Hedonism Wines in Mayfair boasts various vintages of all of the five first growths, along with Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Super Tuscans Sassicaia and Ornellaia, Screaming Eagle, Pétrus, Le Pin and many other of the finest wines available to humanity.




Run by Alistair Viner, Harrods' ex head wine buyer, the most expensive single bottle on sale is Château d'Yquem 1811 at an eye-watering £100,000.  I was lucky enough to be invited to the press launch on Monday night. Descending into the cavernous basement, on catching sight of the giant large format bottles on display, from Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2000 to Château Pichon Baron Longueville 2005, I felt like Alice in Wonderland after she'd imbibed the 'Drink Me' shrinking potion. Hedonism is more Ferrari showroom than fine wine mecca.   



Turning a corner, I stumble across a Surrealist cave filled with sinister hands, from Mickey Mouse gloves to lobster claws gripping the bottles in a scene straight out of a Salvador Dalí and André Breton film, with a little Labyrinth and David Lynch thrown in for good measure. Taking another turn into the unknown, I enter what looks like a forest filled with wine bottles taken captive in the corkscrew-like twisted branches.


Stopping to drink in the curious mise-en-scène, I hear a squeak and watch one of the bottles move of its own accord. It's all very Lord of the Rings – I half expect Frodo Baggins to come bounding in barefoot. Though most of the liquid treasures remain unaffordable to mere mortals, Hedonism is worth a visit for the experience alone. With so many iconic bottles on show – their lusted after labels naked and exposed – it's a wine lover's delight. Go forth and drool...

6 comments:

  1. They are going straight down the meat locker. Even the Oligarch or Seikhs with more money than sense are getting a little more sensible and won't pay stupid retail price for luxorious goods if you can get much better auction prices or wholesale deals from long established merchants. It's like the brave blond young russian guy entering a chamberful of old toffs in chelsea pensioner outfits..... Odd and laughable!

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  2. I just went there and bought a cracking bottle of portugese red for £15 and noticed that tattinger was only £28! Amazing shop and great tasting area.

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  3. Amazing shop - blown away!

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  4. Beautiful beginning!
    Chauffeur One Limited fishing a prospective business to the Hedonism Wines!
    Good luck!

    www.chauffeur-one.com

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  5. Beautiful beginning!
    Chauffeur One Limited wishing a prospective business to Hedonism Wines!
    Good luck!

    http://www.chauffeur-one.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would like to ask you if I could have your permission to use one of your beautiful pictures on my website, the second to appear which features the Cheval Blanc 2000, the Le Pin 2008 and the Petrus 1995.
    I will be selling for a limited time a collection of fine wines online and it would mean the world to me if I could use this beautiful picture.
    And of course the moment the website is ready I'll immediatly let you know.

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