Birthday festivities continued this weekend unabated with a surprise visit to Primeur restaurant and wine bar in Stoke Newington, London N5.

I’d heard much about it but never thought it would be my wife that takes me there! A 45 minute direct train ride from Richmond to Canonbury made it a simple journey on Guy Fawkes night.

We started off the evening with a little complimentary pet nat NV from Malibran in Veneto (87/100) before moving on to some Papin Muscadet 2015 that was fresh, salty, briney and minerally laden (88+/100). A little Austrian Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Zweytick was all elderflower cordial, white peaches, and crunchy green apples with lovely depth, flesh and balance (90/100).

These whites perfectly complimented our starters of Jamon de Feruel and our slow cooked pumpkin and cavolo nero with lentils. 

A little le Grappin Rose from Burgundy was an altogether more challenging wine with salty flor sherry notes, acetone, and plenty of lifted VA strawberry fruit. An acquired taste for sure (86/100).

Delving deeper into the wine list yielded some Cuvee Madelan Nature from JF Ganevat. A beautiful Gamay driven blend with zero sulphur additions, this lovely 2014 red was vibrant and bright, with layers of stewed wild strawberries and kirsch cherry liquor (92/100).

The coq au vin and pork belly mains were expertly prepared, finely seasoned and very good indeed. Top quality nosh with some energetic, vibrant Vin de Soif. The pork belly was finished off with a Cinsault Blend from St Martin in the Rhone with a seamless, satin soft texture, and beautiful harmonious red fruit purity and balance (90/100).

Rather oddly, Primeur don’t serve any hot drinks… no teas or coffees, so our chestnut tart with creme fraiche was served with a final glass of Gamay “No Control” from the Auvergne. A spritzy, vibrant, fresh glass of light plummy red (88/100).

I have to say, quite an inspired choice for a birthday dinner. The food was really outstanding and the service relaxed but very attentive and friendly. After a long Friday lunch of Michelin starred food and the greatest French wine classics yesterday, an evening at Primeur drinking accessible “low intervention” wines went down a treat.