We had a thrilling time at our three Christmas tastings over the weekend – one at Newlyns and two at Overton – as Caviste friends and customers explored our suggested wines for the season ahead. We never expect any customer to adore all the wines that excite us – but it was reassuring to sell across the range on offer. However, for those who did not manage to get along – and for those who did – it may be interesting to know what were the best sellers…

Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley is enjoyed a small resurgence as wine drinkers move away from the bright gooseberry flavours of New Zealand and buy the more delicate wines from the Upper Loire such as Andre Dezat Pouilly Fumé 2016 (£17.95). In a similar vein the mineral laden lime infused Finca a Pedreira Albariño 2016 (£17.95) is both refreshing, satisfying and stimulating as a wine. Serious but easy to drink. We jumped up and down as customers shared our excitement for the incredible Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Riesling 2014 from Waipara, New Zealand (£22), a dry Riesling made from late harvest botrytised grapes giving incredible weight and complexity.

On the red side of things Gaznata Garnacha 2016 (£9.95) is like an insider secret, made from old bush vines about 2 hours’ drive north of Madrid in Casil y Leon. Such balance, fruit and complexity for a tenner. This is the big deceiver for December. Same grape with a splash of Shiraz and Mataro and you have the Rusden Driftsand 2005 from the Barossa, South Australia, (£18) of pure pleasure. We sold lots. Back to France and you have our finest Burgundian Pinot for £24 in Domaine Meunier Mercurey 1er Cru Rouge 2014 (£24). This is the one for the turkey – lovely ripe Pinot with gentle cool climate tannins and evolving complexity.

And on the sweet side…at Caviste Newlyns we sold through all the half bottles of Chateau Violet 2007 Sauternes a small vineyard over the road from Chateau d’Yquem and priced at a silly £13.95. We have 60 half bottles left and once it’s gone it’s gone. Finally who said sherry isn’t cool? All our cool customers took home a bottle of Lustau Old East India Sherry (£18). This has baked apples, spice and citrus on the palate. It is sweet but not too sweet. It will make you fall in love with mince pies all over again and embrace the cheeseboard if the bottle lasts that far…