P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants, Newtown

P&V has a sensational range of wines, with a focus on natural and minimal intervention wines, often from grower-producers. The store also supports local inner west breweries.

P&V stands for piss and vinegar. That gives you a flavour of the attitude here. The team behind P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants is a who’s who of the inner west food and beverage scene. Wine writer, Mike Bennie, is one of the prominent faces behind the store but there’s also involvement from the team behind Mary’s burgers, The Lansdowne, and The Unicorn Hotel.

The bottle shop is set back off the street on Enmore Road, not far from Newtown station. It’s easy to miss but you need to look out for the light blue paint work and hand scrawled signs outside.

Go For The Beer, Stay For The Wine

There’s a clear focus on natural wine, and it’s something I urge even the most ardent beer nerd to explore. You will be rewarded. There’s also a sensational selection of sake and Australian spirits. There’s plenty of beer too. Wonderfully, it’s nearly all refrigerated and it’s nearly all from local breweries.

The likes of The Grifter, Young Henrys, Wayward, Shenanigans, Philter, Wildflower and more line the fridge shelves. Unsurprisingly, tinnies rule supreme. In fact, the second most popular format for beer is probably larger 750ml bottles. It makes sense given the nature of the store and it’s focus on wine and providing drinks for shared, communal experiences.

Fun-Loving Vibe

Pay attention to the P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants social media accounts and you’ll pick up when they’re running events such as free counter tastings, or wine and BBQ nights.

P&V also specialises in “TV dinners” but they want leave you experiencing a feverish 80’s flashback. As with everything in the store, there’s a focus on quality produce.

There’s a considered and dedicated approach to fine Australian booze. The term “booze” is frequently scrutinised and debated for what it might connote, but here it seems to fit. There’s an attitude which is anti-mainstream and off the wall. The store and the people working there offer a laid back, fun-loving vibe but this is combined with incredible knowledge of the products they sell.

Or… Go For The Wine, Stay For The Beer

For most venues and bottle shops that are featured on this site, it’s the beer that’s the greatest attraction. At P&V, however, you should go for the wine but remember to pick up some tinnies of something cold, fresh and local before you leave.

Have you popped into P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants? Leave a comment below and share what you bought.