Created by nature and passion
Based in the historic Spa Road Station, many people will have seen Dynamic Vines as they walk past. Some lucky ones would have been aware that it is not merely a warehouse but open on Fridays and Saturdays to the public to buy their wares. The success of the Bermondsey shop has spurred owner Frederic Grappe to open another in East Dulwich that the public can use six days a week, writes Michael Holland.
At the launch of the new Lordship Lane store, Frederic was there to talk about his life as a sommelier in some of Europe’s most exclusive restaurants, with many years working with Marco Pierre White. His travels around Europe’s finest vineyards brought him into contact with vintners using the biodynamic method of growing grapes, whereby no synthetic chemicals, pesticides or herbicides are used, and where the land becomes its own ecosystem. The wine then reflects the soil the grapes are grown in. Yes, it is more labour intensive, but each season will produce a wine with a unique taste. And important: ‘It is essential, we believe that Biodynamic wines offer of true expression of the terroir it comes from as well as a unique experience for the customers, it is a farming method that respects the land and ecosystem on which it is produced as nothing is added or taken away from the grapes used to make those wines,’ emphasised Frederic who left his sommelier work to support the passionate growers who had dedicated their lives to producing wines with a sense of place by starting Dynamic Vines in 2005. The company is now the leading importer of premium biodynamic wines in the UK.
Frederic added, ‘Customers can expect a 300 bin, strong selection of only Biodynamic wines from Europe, produced by family-owned wine producers dedicated to expressing the origin of the wines through sustainable and biodynamic farming methods. Dynamic Vines exclusively import wines to the UK from producers who are often recognised to be amongst the very best in the region/country, and feature on most of the best restaurant wine lists in the UK.
‘Our new wine shop offers the chance to enjoy and discover these wines at retail prices inside the shop without any corkage fees, alongside a selection of charcuterie and cheese from our neighbours Mons.’
The launch gave Frederic and his sommeliers (Edouard, Miles, Bella and Tom) the opportunity to talk about soils and climate and the philosophy of those that produced wines. We heard of the har man-mountain rugby star who wanted to push forward with ideas that culminated in a soft white wine; the tale of the four generations of a family that came together to create something they all agreed on. We heard of how different top soils did different things, how one grower beat the worst summer for decades to produce a vintage wine. We tasted a wine with an aftertaste that resembled that of a spirit and another blended so well that each sip a journey of exhilaration.
And there is more: While the shelves feature current vintages, a black book with older vintages will also be available so customers can enjoy the wines with more bottle age. They will also have the opportunity to buy wines for cellaring in the Bermondsey warehouse if they wish.
Zalto Glassware is used within the shop for service, and also available to buy to use at home.
This launch was a chance for Frederic Grappe and his team of experts to show off several classic wines and their knowledge over a delightful couple of hours, along with some well-chosen cheese and charcuterie. And, of course, let the public see how they can come in, peruse the shelves, discuss wine with Bella Babbit, choose a bottle, pay no corkage but sit and watch the world go by as you enjoy wine from over sixty producers created from only what nature and passion can provide.
Dynamic Vines, 149 Lordship Lane, SE22 8HX. Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 9.30pm; Sunday 10am – 5pm.
Price: From £18 per bottle to £300 but predominantly between £18 and £50 per bottle.
