Up North

Another new gem in an industrial estate. Compendium, just off the Castlereagh Road, is an exciting addition to Belfast's retail scene - an airy, modern shop stuffed with what manager Neil Groom describes as "interesting drinking at everyday prices". Prunotto, Jean-Luc Colombo, Garry Crittenden, Nepenthe, Terrabianca, J. J. Prum . . . are some of the names that liberated my saliva, along with sightings of various Viogniers and Savennieres. "We're into anything that's weird and different,' says Groom, an ex-Oddbins Rhone fanatic. Paul Limpus of Nepenthe visits next Friday (May 26th) for a tasting, 6-8pm. Alanbrooke Road, Castlereagh, Belfast, tel 02890791197, fax 02890-798001, www.compendiumwines.com