While most of us wander aimlessly through life hoping to stumble upon our perfect match, the savvy souls at Pairings Wine Bar have made finding ‘the one’ their entire business model – albeit with wines and cheeses rather than lovelorn singles. Nestled on Castlegate, just a cork’s pop from Clifford’s Tower, this award-winning establishment has been playing culinary matchmaker since sisters Kate and Kelly Latham opened its doors in autumn 2015.
Sisters Doing It For Themselves (And Your Taste Buds)
The story of Pairings begins, as all good stories should, with siblings who actually like each other. Sisters Kate and Kelly Latham are the masterminds behind this vinous venture, having dreamed since childhood of going into business together. While most siblings can barely agree on a Netflix show, these two built an entire award-winning wine bar concept based on their shared love of fine wines and perfectly paired nibbles.
Kelly brings sommelier expertise from her days at Hotel du Vin, while Kate’s eye for sourcing stellar local produce completes this dynamic duo. Their sisterly synchronicity translates into an atmosphere that feels less like a formal wine bar and more like being welcomed into someone’s particularly well-stocked living room – if your friends happened to have impeccable taste in wine, cheese, and interior design.
A Flight of Fancy
Pairings isn’t just about sipping a glass of something nice while you wait for your actual dinner reservation elsewhere. Here, the wine takes centre stage, with food playing the supporting role – think of it as the Oscars ceremony where the wines are the celebrities and the charcuterie board is the red carpet they strut down on.
The “flights” concept lets you sample three different wines side by side, each paired with accompaniments that bring out their best qualities – sort of like how your friend always knows exactly which Instagram filter makes you look like you’ve had eight hours of sleep. From classic flights (featuring wines that pair with meats and cheeses) to sweet tooth flights (where dessert wines meet miniature puddings in perfect harmony), there’s an option to suit every palate and curiosity level.
The Sanctuary Experience
In a city where Saturday nights can resemble a wildlife documentary on the mating rituals of hen and stag parties, Pairings offers something increasingly rare – actual conversation. With no blaring music to shout over and a calm, sophisticated ambiance, it’s a sanctuary for grown-ups who prefer discussing flavour notes to debating which nightclub has the shortest queue.
The interior strikes that delicate balance between rustic and chic, leaning more toward the latter – think wine-themed décor that doesn’t involve those “Live, Laugh, Love” signs made out of cork. The table service approach means you can focus entirely on your companions and your glass, rather than developing the tactical shoulder-barging skills required at many city centre bars.
The Menu: Beyond Peanuts and Crisps
The food at Pairings isn’t an afterthought – it’s carefully curated to dance a perfect tango with whatever’s in your glass. Locally sourced charcuterie boards feature meats that make supermarket antipasti weep with inadequacy. The cheese selection would make Wallace (of Gromit fame) relocate to York permanently. Whether you’re going for small plates like the divine pork rillette (Cornish lop pork poached in duck fat – yes, you read that correctly) or the anchovy dish that’s salty enough to demand another bottle of wine, everything is designed to elevate your drinking experience. For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert flight brings together triple chocolate brownies, strawberry tarts, and Earl Grey panna cotta in a trio that’s worth skipping dinner for.
What You Need to Know
Despite the sophisticated concept, there’s nothing pretentious about
Pairings. You don’t need to know your Malbec from your Merlot to have a good time – the knowledgeable staff are genuinely passionate about helping you discover new favourites without a hint of wine snobbery.
The pricing is refreshingly reasonable (flights range from £26-£30, with the sweet tooth option at £17), especially considering the quality of what’s offered. It’s open daily, with Friday and Saturday hours stretching from 11am to midnight (perfect for both civilised afternoon sipping and evening unwinding).
Whether you’re on a date (the flights concept provides built-in conversation starters), catching up with friends, or simply seeking refuge from York’s sometimes boisterous weekend crowd, Pairings offers a haven where fine wine and food come together in perfect matrimony – no wedding planner required.
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