A restaurant in Cheshire has introduced a water menu, offering diners a choice of seven waters ranging from £5 to £19 per bottle. La Popote, located in the village of Marton, is believed to be the first establishment in the county to offer such a selection. The menu was created by water sommelier Doran Binder, who is part of a growing movement of water evangelists advocating for H₂O to be appreciated like wine.
Binder, 53, who also runs the Bearded Water Sommelier online persona, says he wants people to experiment with water in a way they never have before. He acknowledges the concept may seem unusual but argues it highlights how poor our relationship with water is. The menu includes Crag from the Peak District at £5 and Vidago, a mineral-rich water from Portugal, at £19.
During a tasting, Binder explained that water's taste is determined by its mineral content, measured as total dissolved solids (TDS). Low-TDS waters, such as the Lauretana from Italy with a TDS of just 14, are delicate and soft. High-TDS waters, like Vichy Célestins from France with a TDS over 3,300, are harder and more mineral-rich.
Binder recommends pairing waters with food, suggesting a low-mineral water for delicate dishes like crab. He serves water in wine glasses at room temperature to preserve flavour. The restaurant's owner, chef Joe Rawlins, says the water list is a first for Cheshire and complements the extensive wine list of over 100 bottles.
