Lots of places in Shanghai sell wine, and some of it is even very nice. But let's be real, most of it is extremely expensive for what it is. Particularly you, French wine. XO is a bar that seeks to buck this trend, serving wine from 'boutique' European producers at prices that look more at home in your local coffee shop than a classy wine bar in the former French Concession.
See, XO is the brainchild of a wine delivery app called Bottles XO that launched in Shanghai last year, which has now spread to Hong Kong, Singapore and Suzhou. These guys forge relationships with small, lesser known wineries in Europe and secure beneficial prices for the Asian market compared to more renowned producers. Via the Bottles XO app you choose which wine you want, and they deliver it at drinking temperature within one hour.
Much like the app, XO the bar's wine list is comprised of good value European bottles. And perhaps most importantly, all of them are available by the glass, and for prices you'd expect from a Yongkang Lu happy hour. With an average cost of RMB35-45 a glass (the cheapest are a mere RMB25), we're going to go ahead and say this is one of, if not the best value wine bar in Shanghai.
Whites start from RMB25 for a 2014 pinot grigio (Ca' di Alti), RMB35 for a particularly nice 2015 sauvignon blanc (Chartron Le Fleur), and up to RMB65 for a 2012 chardonnay (Domaine Faiveley). For dry reisling lovers, the Heinz Schmitt Erben offers a pleasantly tart and sour fruit profile, available at RMB45/glass.
A larger selection lies within the red wine section, with eight offered from RMB25-45 and the rest between RMB50-85. Even bubbly can be found for RMB45 for a glass of Ca' di Alte prosecco, though they do offer a Champagne for RMB100/glass (de Venoge, Cordon Bleu Brut).
Vibe-wise, Bottles XO has high tables and stools inside and a long bar against the windows that opens up onto the street for al fresco seating. Perhaps thanks to those advantageous prices, the place is already pretty busy though the atmosphere remains relaxed and relatively low-key.
Thanks to a partnership with Solo Italian restaurant upstairs, XO also offers food pairings with its wines. The kitchen stays open until 10.30pm for regular menu items, stretching to 12.30am for the 'late night' menu.
Will we be back? You betcha. For those who like wine and those who simply like good value bars with a nice atmosphere, XO delivers on both counts.
Price: wine by the glass from RMB25
Who's going: locals and expats
Good for: wine, casual drinking, good value, al fresco, dates, small-medium groups
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