For the welcome wine (with canapés) we enjoyed one of C &B’s best sellers, their sparkling Blanc de Blanc made to their own recipe. Delightfully refreshing and soft textured – and terrific value at the discounted price of £12.

This was swiftly followed by a Pinot Gris Eradus 2024 as our intermediate wine. Dry, yet peachy and a real joy to taste.

For the first course wines to accompany a starter of Mozzarella Arancini, or Crab Bisque or Duck Pâté, James chose a lovely classic chardonnay from the tiny (one hectare) family owned vineyard in the small appellation of Saint-Veran. We also much enjoyed a juicy Fleurie from the fifth generation family run domaine of Lathuiliere Gravallon.

Our main course of Roast Beef or Leek Tart was much enhanced by an Andaina Godello Adegas Galegas, a lovely white wine of the popular aromatic godello grape.

The other wine was a sumptuous red – and for many of us, the star of the evening – a Soraie IGT Veneto Cecilia Beretta 2021. Rich and smooth in the Amarone style and great value at £12.50.

To conclude our most entertaining and tasty evening the dessert of Brandy Snaps or cheeseboard (complete with homemade Chocolate Truffles) was paired with a Nelson Family Vineyard Special Late Harvest 2018. This South African estate is in a region where the first vines were planted in 1688.