It’s a Saturday evening on Hyndland Road and guests are tasting wines from around the world.
We are in the heart of the West End, but the experience is taking us on a journey across several countries and wine regions.
The evening is being hosted by wine and spirits specialist Cavavin and its manager Murray Hannah.
The event marks an exciting new offering from the retailer following the successful award of its long-awaited on-sales licence.
Murray said: “We are so delighted to be able to have people in tasting wines.
“It was always the plan to have guests around the table trying out different wines, learning about wines, and enjoying new wines at reasonable prices.
'Wonderful'
“Our table at the back of the shop here seats up to 10 people and we think it’s a wonderful space to spend an hour or so on a wine adventure.
“We have had our first wine-tasting, which was a huge success. It was fully booked and sold out in two days.”
The new scheduled tastings are running alongside a bar service where customers can order wine by the glass or bottle to enjoy inside the shop or outside in a seated area at the front of the store.
The bar menu features three reds and three whites by the glass, starting from entry-level through to something a bit more special.
There is fizz by the bottle or the small bottle, and there is a rosé by the glass.
Private tastings are also being offered where groups can hire Murray and his expertise for a bespoke wine journey.
“A lot of people go for the same wine all the time, which is fine,” explains Murray.
“But we would like to introduce people to new wines that people may not know about.
It was always the plan to have guests around the table trying out different wines, learning about wines, and enjoying new wines at reasonable prices.
Murray Hannah
“So they can try new wines at our tastings or through our bar.”
Murray adds: “People shouldn’t be scared to try new things - I am here to guide them. I have quite a bit of experience with wine.
“But I don’t know everything, I am learning all the time as well.
“The whole point of the tasting table is about having fun.”
Scheduled tastings are on a Friday or a Saturday evenings, and last an hour and half.
Private tastings can be booked for any night in between when Cavavin is able to accommodate.
With the wine menu, Cavavin is offering a very generous corkage of £9 on any bottle in store. Glasses on the menu are also competitively priced.
Owner Yvonne Cozens says she is delighted to be offering events at last.
“We have put a lot of work into the business to get to this point, and now we are here we can’t wait to invite people around our table.
“It’s the focal point of the shop and the space where people can enjoy a new wine experience.
“I also have plans for gin tastings and whisky tastings, so there are lots more things to come.”
