Every month, we ask our team to give their recommendations. For November's wine recommendations, our first, we asked them to introduce themselves a bit too. Here's Tina, our shop Manager and buyer for Italy, Germany, Portugal.

How did you end up in the wine trade?

I was an Account Manager for Guerlain in Howells Cardiff then transferred to Cavendish House Cheltenham August 1999.

My partner at the time worked for Wine rack so I would wait in the shop after I finished my job for us to go home. Whilst I waited I would work in the store.
I did a day a week at Wine rack for extra pocket money and was mystery shopped (unbeknown to me). That turned out to be the Area manager for the South West!

Over the years I would manage their shops on Bath Road and Hewlett Road. Wine rack closed December 2009 but reopened July 5th 2010 under new owners. I was taken on as manager of Tivoli Wines and thats how the story goes.

Tina's first choice this month is the Monte Del Fra Amarone della Valpolicella. This is a big, big red, at 15.5% alcohol with fruit flavours to match. Amarone is produced by first partially drying out the grapes on straw mats, evaporating some of the water in the grapes. This leaves more concentrated flavours in the remaining fruit. The name refers to the region of Italy, Valpolicella, in Veneto, and the character of the wine, Amarone, or 'The Great Bitter'. The same method is used to make the equally delicious but considerably sweeter, Recioto della Valpolicella.

What do you like about the trade, and what do you want to change about it?

I love the customer focus and interaction, providing knowledge and understanding of wine and of course the wonderful wine everyone deserves to drink.

I don't like the snobbery and the fear of walking into wine shops feeling that they are too expensive for your purse strings.

Sarotto Gavi di Gavi

Tina's second choice is the Sarotto Gavi di Gavi, so good they named it twice. Well, almost. Gavi is made from the Cortese di Gavi grape, around the area of Gavi. If the wine is made within the tighter confines of Gavi itself, producers can call it 'Gavi (the shortened version of Cortese di Gavi) di Gavi (the area). It's fun to say out loud too!

Gavi from a good producer and good vines, like this one, can be surprisingly characterful, with an aroma of stone fruits and citrus. It has a refreshing acidity but remains incredibly easy to drink, making it a great Christmas crowd-pleaser.

What’s your favourite food and wine match?

Roast Lamb and Pinot Noir from New Zealand followed by Tawny port and Cheese.

Want to find out more about our Wine Buffs? Read about David, Mike and Calum here!