Britain’s first dedicated water shop has opened

Virgin Radio

25 Feb 2022, 16:35

Who knew there were so many different types of water?

A dedicated shop selling only water has opened in London.

This isn't your 99p bottle of water, oh no. Some of the bottles will set you back £120.

The shop stocks hundreds of types of natural water from around the world.

Milin Patel is the brains behind it, and he's a certified water sommelier.

Move over wine sommeliers, Patel says no water is the same.

He insists that water can be paired with meals the same way as wine.

He said: “I call myself the Willy Wonka of natural water. I’ve always had a deep passion for water and want to show others how to appreciate it.”

“There are many factors that make a water unique — different temperatures and levels of minerals change its taste and how it feels in your mouth.”

Called Fine Liquids, the unusual shop launched in Fulham, West London.

The priciest water is £120 (£130 with shipping), which will get you 750ml of APSU Origin Water.

It originates from a glacier in Patagonia, South America.

Patel has been a water consultant for nearly twenty years.

He said their water sources range “from natural springs to collected rain pools”.

The sommelier explained: “A water with high silica levels has a very velvety feel. Water with high levels of magnesium will have a slightly sweet, metallic taste.”

Plastic bottles are banned in the shop, to prevent the water from changing flavour.

He defended the higher price points: “People buy bottles like these for things like dinner parties. Telling guests about the water starts a beautiful dialogue.”

He added: “We should all drink tap water, or filtered tap water, for hydration —­ and glass-bottled water like a fine wine or a sweet treat.”