So far we’ve “happened” upon two wonderful wine bars in Amsterdam. The first, Vyne, is part of a design/drink/eat team’s conglomerate in town. The other, Bubble and Wine, was recommended by our good friend Mr. Wilde (no, I’m not making him up, I swear!).

So… which one is better? Vyne was Winebar Of The Year in 2010 and B&W won that accolade last year. If you were to ask my honest opinion about which one deserves to be crowned this year, I would have to say…. Vyne. By a whisker. The service was slightly warmer in B&W but the wine itself shined through at Vyne.

We had the champagne flight at both places, and while one of the three serves at Vyne had to be replaced for being flat, two of the three at Bubbles and Wine were less bubbly than bubbly should be. We were the first customers for the day so perhaps they’d been sitting there uncorked for a while, but for the price we were paying (€26.95 at B&W versus €20 at Vyne) the staff should have tasted/checked it before serving.

Champagne Flight at Bubbles And Wine

Also, even though we didn’t eat at Bubbles and Wine, the food (though comparable, on paper, to that served at Vyne) was twice as expensive. We did enjoy some of the bar snacks at Vyne (mixed tapas plate of shrimp wontons, shrimp croquettes and veal croquettes as well as a mixed Italian charcuterie plate) and they were probably some of the best, tastiest and freshest bar food I’ve ever had. First class.

Italian charcuterie at Vyne. Generous AND delicious!

Bubbles And Champagne, impressively served most of their wines in Riedel stemware. Classy!

Corks at Bubble And Wine.

I think if we had all the time in the world we might have returned to both bars, but seeing as we only have three more nights, if it’s a choice between the two, my choice is Vyne.