Grape 'n' Grain in Frome: a treasure-trove for wine lovers

A couple of weeks ago my daughter and I were staying with friends in Frome in Somerset and, while supper was being prepared, I popped out to the local offie for a bottle. My friends had said it was quite a good wine shop and that the owner sourced a lot of wine on his travels. I wasn’t expecting much, though, especially with the name ‘Grape ‘n’ Grain’.

It looked quite innocuous from the outside – a regular-looking shop, well-stocked shelves, a couple of chaotic fridges. I stepped inside and realised there weren’t many branded wines (always a good sign), but when I went through to the back of the shop I came upon a treasure-trove of enticing old bottles. There were mainly French classics, as well as some quirkier Port and Madeira. Apparently, the owner of this well-established and popular offie, Jack Sudders, has a range of business interests and is able to pick bankrupt stock to sell in his shop.

If you’re in the area it would be well worth dropping by to see what’s currently available. Sadly, that evening I wasn’t in the market for a mature classed-growth, but my bottle of Picpoul de Pinet was delicious with our seafood rissoto. I will definitely be back for a proper root around before too long.

Grape ‘n’ Grain

6a Badcox

Frome

Somerset

BA11 3BQ

Tel 01373 462455