Valvona & Crolla

Something of an Edinburgh institution, Valvona & Crolla which first opened its doors back in 1934 is Scotland’s oldest wine merchant and holds a Royal Warrant from the late Queen. Nowadays, the Contini family who run this Italian outpost in the Scottish capital oversee a burgeoning business that incorporates the original deli in Elm Walk, which is packed to the rafters with mountains of Italian gastronomic goodies, complete with a cafe restaurant hidden away at the back, plus several other restaurants dotted around the city centre. What they all have in common, however, is a passion for food and wine, with the emphasis on the provenance of the produce, and an enticing, exclusively Italian wine list offered by the bottle or the glass, ranging from some of the most superlative Super Tuscans to those offering great value. Customers can choose from any of the wines for sale in the deli for a small additional corkage charge, to complement the delicious menu.