We’ve been rather late in reviewing the Oxford Wine Café this year. I considered it last term, but thought I needed to give it another go. Going to Somerville, it’s been fun being able to walk past it each day to see the same faces popping in and out. It’s a real mix: artsy students with their macs open trying to look like they care for their work jostled among middle aged professionals who have finished work early for any excuse to socialise. In truth, I applied to Somerville because of the alternative prospectus; in it, it spoke of this “Boho” part of town in which cafés and cheap diners gave you a break from the hellish white stone centre of Oxford and the Vaults and Gardens style beautiful-surroundings-for-a-price type of restaurant.
Over my (now four!) years here, I have seen Jericho gentrify rapidly. It was already well on it’s way, but now old establishments like Manos and Jude the Obscure (both slightly worse for wear but brilliant nonetheless) are facing ever increasing competitions from the likes of this, the Oxford Wine Café. Now, when I first drove past it, I was in a state of almost ecstasy-induced shock. I couldn’t credit it: my two favourite things shoved together in one ever so convenient location (neighbours with the Co-op, neighbours with Somerville)!
However, my excitement quickly turned to disillusion. One night after the college telethon, we, the busy-bee workers in dire need of some distilled refreshment, headed off to the Oxford Wine Café. Astounded I was by the prices they advertised. The thing about wine and me is that I’m no sommelier. I like a drop – don’t get me wrong. Claire down the Co-op knows me for my Australian own brand and 20 Richmond menthol daily purchase. In fact, now I’ve given up smoking and am cutting down on the old alcohol for finals, she’s distraught by the changes in the my shopping basket.
However, as I say, I’m no expert (as highlighted by the fact I loved the £4 Co-op own brand). This means that when out, I’m struggling with a £9 bottle being your cheapest. The lights are lovely and the bar snacks are really tasty and not too pricey. Of course, since the ultimate goal of your peanuts, pork scratchings and olives is to make the punter thirsty for some more Mummy Ribena, this makes sense. What is good about the Wine Café is their day-time trade. Their coffees are really nice and quite a good price. However, when they bring round the candles and remove your sugar, it’s time to leave. Like most of Oxford, you’ve been priced out by such gentrification.
