Joseph Barnes Wines

I’m no wine connoisseur, in fact I’d be more likely to choose a £5 bottle of California white from Tesco but I can’t recommend this shop highly enough!
Located on one of the tiny side streets of Saffron Walden its a bit of a hidden gem. They’ve made the most of the space they’ve got with floor to ceiling wine racks, but it feels well organised and cosy rather than crowded. The wines come in at a variety of price points, starting at around £6 and going up to £50+, so there’s something for everyone, but what really makes this a great place to shop is the owner, Charles.
If you visit on a week day you’re likely to get him to yourself, which may sound a little daunting to those who don’t know their Chardonnay from their Savignon Blanc, but there’s nothing to worry about. He’s helpful, informative and not at all pushy, whether you’re spending £10 or £100. He will advise not only on the wine itself, but also which meals it compliments, so you can get the most out of your purchase. If you frequent the shop on a Saturday you can look forward to a free wine taster while you browse and when I visited just before Christmas there was even a butler (in full outfit) serving the wine. Even if the shop is busy you wont be ignored and you never feel rushed.
But my absolute favourite thing about Joseph Barnes Wines is the story behind each bottle, which Charles will tell you while he wraps it up. Maybe he’s making it up as he goes along, but I get the impression that he really does know what he’s talking about and it makes the whole thing feel more like an experience than popping into the supermarket for a bottle of plonk. The only think that could make this better would be if he had some cards to include with wine bought as a gift, so that the recipient could learn the story behind their wine too.