Bar Fly: Vine Double Bay

Vine Double Bay
2 Short Street, Double Bay (02) 9363 0010 vinedoublebay.com.au
As I mingled with the cashed-up crowd, quaffing flutes of fancy Champagne like it was cordial, I smirked thinking that it was only a week ago I was washing down deep-fried Twinkies with whiskey. Tucked away in the backstreets of Double Bay is a polished cathedral-style wine bar-cum-restaurant called Vine. It’s a very swish place to enjoy a bottle of fancy bubbly and some French-inspired contemporary canapés. While there’s cocktails and beer on offer, it’s the (almost complete) portfolio of Laurent-Perrier Champagnes that you’re going to want to focus on. I stuck with the crisp and delicious golden Laurent-Perrier Brut ($24/glass, $130/bottle), which for the record was the nicest champers I’ve ever had the pleasure of binge drinking. After a bottle and a half of the Brut, I was ready to level up with a bottle Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle ($400/bottle) but my date kindly reminded me I should probably pay my rent instead. Next time…