Berry Bros. & Rudd

Berry Bros & Rudd claims a Royal Warrant and to be the oldest wine merchants in the city. It opened in its current location just across from St. James Palace in 1698 and contains such historical artifacts as 200-year-old wine bottles, a centuries-old coffee mill and one of the city’s earliest scales along with the recorded weights of many legendary figures. The wine bottles sitting out for purchase range from inexpensive New World whites bearing the Berry Bros. label, for less than 10 pounds a bottle, to Sancerres for more than 3,000 pounds. The greatest treasures, of course, are in the 300-year-old cellars, which extend two floors below the main shop. Private dinners with tutored tastings or walking tastings can be arranged, and there are monthly wine tasting lunches and dinners. Since the shop delivers within London, it is also a good source of last-minute gifts.