“SO what qualifies you to take on a wine column,” they asked.

“Er, my name…?”

“Good point, you’ve got the gig.”

So here we are, with The Press' new column.

First of all, yes Martini is my real name, but, no, I’m not related, unless the folks are hiding something (a load of lire) from me.

Still, for what it’s worth, there is old rural wine-making on that side of the family, and, with a bit of luck, having it in the blood (literally on some weekends) may help me take over the splendid column written by Mike “Tipping’s Tipples” Tipping.

On that note, may I just say many thanks to my predecessor for sharing his wisdom down the years, if not any actual wine.

Luckily, with Walmgate Towers’ wine cellar cleaned out on his departure, this maiden column was rescued by one of York’s leading independent bar/eateries, the wonderful 1331, on Grape Lane in the heart of town.

A couple of us went there for the weekly Speedquiz and, with both the quiz and column in mind, were advised to try a Cullinan View South African Pinotage to “loosen the brain”.

One of the house wines, this 14 per cent “gem” (geddit? The Cullinan is the largest diamond ever discovered) is priced at a very competitive £12.95 (the same stuff is £46-£50 for a case of six on Amazon).

Pinotage, a South African creation, crosses the French Pinot Noir and Cinsaut grapes, and while scholars may tell you cultivators struggled with it a few decades ago, others argue it has markedly improved into a characterful wine likened to a Shiraz.

This Cullinan View offering was particularly deep coloured with more than a hint of blackberries.

The bottle advises it goes with red meat, game and cheese, and it probably would be one for 1331’s Sunday roast, or one of their steaks or even a premium burger.

It’s not one to quaff, mind, else it gets a bit exacting, but taking it slow allows the flavours to win out.

The downside, however, is it didn’t “loosen the brain” at all well. For those that don’t know, the Speedquiz is a pub quiz using phones and tablets and rapid-fire questions instead of pens and paper, thus eliminating the potential to cheat.

We didn’t win.