5 minute read
Summer Straight From The Bottle
Wine lovers rejoice; a new French-inspired wine bar and deli has arrived in Newquay. Effortlessly stylish and equally as passionate about food as it is wine, The Bottle’s tucked away location offers a moments solace away from the hustle and bustle of Newquay’s busy summer season, but with speciality wine tastings, French themed tapas dishes, and exciting wine events on the horizon, this hidden gem is just as buzzing as its popular seaside hometown.
Advertisement
aving opened at the start of August, The Bottle takes its status as the town’s first independent wine bar and deli. The French-inspired eatery is a vino and cheese lovers paradise, where guests can enjoy sharing boards, French tartines, baked camembert and small plates all paired with great wine sourced from around the world. Behind the aesthetically pleasing setting of The Bottle are its two founders, Rob Palmer and Toyah Marshall, whose travels around France and northern Spain influenced the couple greatly when devising their plan for their own wine bar.
“We had always dreamed of running a business which paired great food and wine,” explains Toyah. “After taking part in a virtual wine tasting during lockdown last year, our vision for The Bottle was reignited. In just six weeks we created a serene space for dining, as well as a place to showcase high quality wines and produce within our deli.” Rob owns a functional fitness gym in Truro, however with the gym having to close throughout the lockdowns, he was left with a little extra time to focus on another passion of his, wine. During lockdown, Rob gained a WSET Level 2 qualification in wine education. Meanwhile, Toyah worked in hospitality since she was 16, most notably in a Leeds-based Michelin starred restaurant for four years, where her passion for food and wine started. Alongside running The Bottle, she is a full-time employment law solicitor. A real labour of love, The Bottle brings the couple’s shared love of good food and wine harmoniously together, taking price in carefully curating their tasting boards that take diners on a journey of the palate, with foods that enhance the flavour of the wine rather than dull it.
The eatery’s cheeseboards feature a mix of artisanal cheese from small British producers, together with European specialities; their meat selection is equally as varied, and everything is available on the deli ready to pack up and take home. With an eco-friendly ethos, part of The Bottle’s founding idea was a refillable wine service, where visitors can select from a wide range of carefully chosen whites, reds, and roses to buy in anything from a 500ml to a litre bottle, or even bring their own. It’s an effective way to enjoy some of the finest wines from both France and Spain, including several organic, vegetarian, and vegan offerings.
However, alongside the deli, it’s The Bottle’s casual dining and wine tastings that is set to capture the hearts of Cornwall’s foodies. A summer of wine tastings, speciality bottles and sumptuous food makes this latest culinary jewel a must-visit. In the bar’s relaxed and informal surroundings, the stage is set for the wine and the food to really shine and plans for speciality themed events have already taken off.
“For us, wine tastings are all about having fun and trying something new,” Toyah describes. “We’re passionate about
sourcing some of the very best ingredients from around the world and introducing out guests to interesting flavours.
“We sometimes work with guest hosts to bring a really unique element to an evening. For example, we’re pleased to be welcoming Carte Blanche Wines in September. They focus on importing wines from ecologically minded producers which have a real sense of place. We can’t wait to hear all about working with sustainable producers and tasting some of their wines.”
The first event, a Rose Rager taking place on Sunday 8th August, is already sold out, but more are in the pipeline. Sunday 19th September will see an evening of biodynamic wines, hosted by Carte Blanche Wines, a trade company who specialises in working with independent, small producers from France and Spain, to import environmentally conscious, organic, terroir-focused, and sustainably crafted wines. Sunday 26th September will see an Al Fresco Spanish wine and pinxtos evening, located in a secluded outdoor courtyard in Newquay with a special oneoff menu designed for the event featuring a selection of pinxtos, charcuterie and cheese celebrating the Basque country, one of the areas that inspired The Bottle. Tickets for this event are £20 which comes off the bill and includes a complimentary glass of Txakoli on arrival. There will be wine by the glass and bottle that is paired with the dishes on offer as well as a fun cocktail menu.
Plans are also being finalised for a wine walk event in September, where guests will journey through the rich orchards of Newquay Orchard to enjoy sustainably produced wines supplied by The Bottle, paired with food from the talented team at Canteen at the Orchard.
Of course, for those eager to have a full ‘Bottle’ experience, private tastings for small groups are available on request. The Bottle team will curate a bespoke event with wines to suit the group’s palate and provide the perfect food pairing to bring each flavour to life. As with all The Bottle’s events, the wines showcased are discounted on the day, so if you find one that sings to your tastebuds, then you can take it away to enjoy at home.
With what is looking like a sensational summer of food and drink in Cornwall this season, The Bottle is certainly a welcomed addition to North Cornwall’s growing repertoire of exciting foodie hotspots. l Tables and events are bookable via the website at www.thebottlenqy.co.uk
Private tastings are available for a minimum of four people, with wine-only tastings starting from £20, and from £25 with a food pairing. To arrange get in touch via thebottle.nqy@gmail.com
1 Wesley Yard, Newquay, TR7 1LB
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 5pm – 10.30pm Fridays and Saturdays 1pm – 11pm Sundays 4pm – 10pm
