Appellation Wines

Dare I say this is my favourite find so far, since moving into Stockbridge?
I dare.
I. Love. This. Place.
Ok so I know my whisky and I know my craft brew, but when it comes to wine — i’m more of a point, buy and hope sort of gal.
I know I like red. I’ve narrowed it down by 50%, and still, that took a good 30 odd years…
So when I was adopted for my first Christmas in Scotland, I wanted to bring a few bottles of truly nice wine with me and had absolutely no idea where to start. I popped in to Raeburn Wines first and trust me, you’ll see that sordid tale soon enough. Long review short — I left within five minutes feeling a bit foolish.
Appellation Wines was the next stop on my quest and quickly, seamlessly and cheerfully, became my first stop in the future.
Let me just point out — I walked in on Christmas Eve, the day that’s best known as «total hell» for most retailers, especially, bodegas specializing in alcoholic beverages. I had just had «death stare» from the last wine shop and was feeling a little apprehensive about the whole ordeal.
From the get go, the two gents behind the counter were CRAZY helpful. Within minutes, we had one bottle picked out within my price range. «The perfect turkey white». Shazam. Now onto a bottle of red…
Would I like a whisky while I perused for my second bottle?
Yes. Yes I would!
So they poured me a whisky and we talked red. At no point did I feel belittled by my lack of knowledge — they were informative, kind and super patient. And hell, they gave me whisky while I shopped… that alone is worth five stars. So I nabbed a second bottle for dinner and a bottle of Liberty School for myself (the ONE nice wine I DO know and have had a heck of a time tracking down).
Next — craft brew. Tis the season for Boxing Day sci-​fi marathons and beer after all. This place stocks an impressive selection of unique craft brews. I was happy to nab a few bottles of Delirium’s christmas special, as it’s hell to find in Canada and meant I spent Boxing Day beer gloating to folks back home.
I walked in looking for two bottles and took home three and a bag full of brew. Happily. Smart people these folks.
It’s not super cheap — you won’t find that bottom of the barrel £5 price that you do at the supermarket but they pointed out that they don’t stock anything they wouldn’t drink themselves. All that being said, they definitely have a good selection of wine within the £7−10 range if you’re looking to keep some stress off the pocket book.
This will be my go-​to shop while I reside in Stockbridge and I would highly suggest it to other wine newbies looking to make an impression at your next dinner party.
It’s foolproof.
Thanks guys!