Experts attend annual Autumn tasting

As ever the format will be four tables manned by a representative of the wine company who supply us. I feel that this enables me to be able to talk to you whilst the people who know about the wines are pouring the wine samples and are explaining in greater detail the intricacies of the wines on taste. This I hope enhances the evening and gives our customers a greater understanding of our aims.

We have had a very good summer the shop has gone from strength to strength. In spite of the past parking problems in the old town customers have found ways around it. In fact some have parked in the middle of the road and John and I have dodged the traffic to deliver to those cars.

We have enlarged the range once again and you will see new wines from Argentina, France, Australia and New Zealand.

We had a lot of fun with our Rosés this summer. We stocked lots of new ones and some old favourites. Rosés are ideal with salmon and at Christmas make a change from the heaviness of all that stuffing!! We have sold out most lines but still stock a few for those diehards who love that light clean finish.

For the first time we are shipping direct from Bordeaux. I have been looking for Claret that we can sell for reasonable prices but have the necessary quality. We are therefore importing direct from Château Landot and Château Caronne St Gemme (Haut Medoc). These are packed either in 6 or 12 bottles per wooden case. The sixes will make ideal Christmas gifts.

We also have Château de Fargues 1997 in bottles and halves and some bottles of 1990. This Château is owned by the former owner of Château Y’Quem. From nearby Loupiac we have 50cl bottles of Château La Cros. These are lovely sweet wines but at a much lower price.

Whilst mentioning Christmas and gifts we continue to stock from Clare Valley the Wakefield St Andrews range of wines (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz) these come in flat wooden boxes which are very stylish and attractive and make very special presents. At the Spring Tasting they showed extremely well and have been very popular ever since.

As ever at this time of the year we are girding our loins for the rush, as November and December are our busiest months. Over the past few years we have been delighted to do more and more Corporate Gift parcels. If you are looking for bespoke gifts please come and talk to us. We are very adaptable and with our large range of wines and giftware available we can make up and despatch some very good presents.

Last year many of our customers appeared to buy wine specifically based around the Christmas lunch/dinner. If you would like us to prepare a special case with say a Champagne, a couple of reds, a Port and a Sauterne please call us with a budget and some idea of the style of wine you wish to purchase and we will make the case(s) up and you can collect or we will deliver.

I very much look forward to seeing you at the tasting and in the shop prior to Christmas. As with last year we will be open on Sunday 4th, 11th and 18th December from 10am to 4pm.

With Christmas greetings and wishing you a peaceful New Year.

('Neil Bingham',)