Carruthers & Kent

You know that feeling when you walk into a bottle shop and realise within about 30 seconds whether the person behind the counter gives a toss? Carruthers & Kent is very much the former. Based up in Gosforth, this is the kind of place where they'll ask you proper questions about what you're after rather than just pointing at the pricey end of the shelf. Whether you're after a decent weeknight red, something craft from the north east, or you're the type who gets excited about natural wines, they've actually curated the selection themselves. It's the independent spirit that keeps people coming back—and clearly people do, given the scores on here. Not flashy, just genuinely good at what they do.