Welcome to our new series of blog posts: 'What to drink with...'

Earlier today I passed our local farm shop and outside was a huge trailer over-flowing with pumpkins. It started my mind whirring about how to cook pumpkins - and what to drink with them (I know, I should concentrate on my driving more...)

I musty confess to never having been a huge pumpkin fan - when the kids were younger the scooped out flesh from the Halloween pumpkin lanterns went straight in the compost. What a waste I hear you cry. So, in an effort to waste nothing and inspired by those bright orange, glorious looking globes of Autumnal loveliness I went off in search of some tasty ways to use up all that foodie goodness.

Having just bought food blogger Niamh Shields new book (well done Niamh on the book deal!  Oh and if you are bit of a foodie like me Niamh's blog Eat like a girl is a must too) I felt sure she would have some new takes on Pumpkin recipes. And sure enough a quick wizz through her blog just now brought me to this delicious-looking recipe for pumpkin mash. I love looking through cookery books/magazines/blogs to get inspiration and to put my twist on recipes - but this looks so perfectly suited as an Autumn comfort-food that I'll be making it 'as is' very soon. I'll let you know how it goes!

Now inspired by Niamh and her blog, what wine to drink?

Well, I think the mash recipe above needs something to work with all that starch and and add a bit of zip, and perhaps a little twist of citrus/wild herbs to add 'bite'. One of our recently arrived new Italian wines, Selva Capuzza Lugana 2010 would be my choice. Zingy and fresh with a under-lying minerality giving back-bone and a taut structure.

Lugana is in the Veneto wine region of north east Italy. 4km south of Lake Garda, in the green rolling Moreniche hills can be found the beautiful wine property Selva Capuzza. Lugana is both a region and the local name for the Trebianno grape variety.

Produced from Selva Capuzza's oldest and highest vineyards it is one of the first single vineyard Lugana ever produced and is the estate's signature Lugana. The combination of low yields and the selection of grapes produce a white wine of finesse and complexity.

There we have it. A new way to make use of one of Autumn's classic vegetables and a new wine to try alongside it. Food and wine matching advice and a tasty Autumn supper to boot. More soon...

We are pleased to announce that we have shipped more of Jean-Francois Merieau Cent Visages Malbec 2008

Check out our recent blog post on Jean-Francois Merieau wines.

See all Jean-Francois Merieau wines that we list.

New Zealand have played today....

Tomorrow Argentina play Romania, Australia play Ireland and South Africa play Fiji.

You can get up to 10% of any of those countries marked in red on the day of the match. So take advantage and stock up for the week-end today or tomorrow in any of the three Caviste shops.

• Buy 6 mixed bottles or more 5% discount
• Buy 12 mixed bottles or more 10% discount

That could be 10% off a case of the Nieto Bonarda 2008 from Argentina (complex, bramble fruit – velvet soft grainy tannin), or Spinifex Paillon 2007 from Australia (warm, spicy Rhone blend from the Barossa), or Carrick Unravelled Pinot Noir 2009 from New Zealand (Layers of summer fruits, mushrooms and spice, balanced with smooth tannins). Or dozens of other wines from these countries that adorn the shelves of each of our shops.

Don't forget that False Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from South Africa is still on its incredible 6 for £36 offer. That's over 20% off it's normal price of £7.50 per bottle when you buy in sixes. Fantastic value - lets hope the Rugby is as entertaining!

Note: no further discounts off existing special offers

Links to past issues of our regular newsletter can be found on the right hand side of this page, just below the blog archive.

No excuse now for not knowing what is going on in the Caviste world of wine!

Our latest newsletter has lots of fantastic tasting opportunities for this autumn plus some great new offers, including one specially for the Rugby World Cup.

Caviste Odiham Fine Wine Dinner

Date: Thursday 22nd September 2011

Time: 7.00pm for pre-dinner aperitif, sit down for dinner at 7.30pm

Venue: Newlyn's Farm Cookery School (above Caviste Odiham at Newlyn's Farm shop)
Lodge Farm, North Warnborough, Hook, Hampshire, RG29 1HA Google map

£95 per person
To reserve your place please telephone Caviste Odiham manager Christien Hay on 01256 703130 or book online here.

Totally exclusive, utterly decadent!

This is being held as an exclusive, one-off event. The evening will start with a glass of champagne and will follow with a sumptuous, 3 course dinner, cooked by Newlyns Cookery School’s Head Chef Hannah Westcott.

Caviste Odiham manager Christien Hay will then match each course with a top wine. This promises to be a very special event and is limited to 12 spaces.

Menu & accompanying wines

NEWLYNS CHARCUTERIE PLATE-

Castro Iberico Salchinon, Teruel Ham, Napoli Salami, Chorizo

Bollinger Special Cuvee Rose

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BUTTERFLIED MACKEREL ESCABECHE, FENNEL AND MOSCATEL VINEGAR DRESSING

Labastida Tierra Fidel Blanco 2009, Sancerre Monts Damnes Thomas Labaille 2010

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CONFIT DUCK, MADEIRA SAUCE, DAUPHINOISE POTATOES, RED CABBAGE, CAULIFLOWER PUREE

Domaine Dujac Morey Saint Denis 2007, Chateau Pontet Canet 2007

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VANILLA CRÈME BRULEE, ORANGE SABLE BISCUIT

Alluviale Vendage Tardif 2009

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BARKHAM BLUE, TUNWORTH, MONTGOMERY CHEDDAR & BISCUITS

Chateau de Malle Sauternes 2003

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Coffee plus  Maxime Trijol VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac

We always get very excited about every new wine that we discover, ship and begin selling to our customers in Hampshire, Berkshire and beyond.  Then like new toys, the wines join the ranks of established bottles on our shelves, standing back as others enjoy the limelight of novelty and a seasonal glow.  Recently I have revisited two of the wines that we included in our shipment from Jean-François Merieau, and I was captivated by their quality, originality and ability to age.

Jean-François Merieau - a little background.
Based about 50 kilometres to the south east of Tours, Jean-François has returned to his roots after working vintages abroad including an extended stay in South Africa, where Chenin Blanc continues to be the most widely planted grape variety.  He is dedicated to working with ancient grape varieties that have been grown on the hills south of Tours for centuries, rather than espouse only big brand varieties that are easily recognised and are reliable sellers.  Caviste drinkers have been captivated by his Malbec wines, a variety known locally at ‘Cot’, and drunk through two vintages of a delicate Pinot Noir grown at the little known Saint Pourçain which lies between Sancerre and Mâcon.  We have two other of his unique wines that merit special attention.

Click here to view a video of Jean-François  talking about his vines and the variety of different vineyard terroirs. (It's in French but with English sub-titles)

Jean-François Merieau Fleuve Blanc, Vouvray 2005 @ £17.95
Oh boy – does Chenin Blanc age well.  This six year old beauty (translates as ‘white river’) is showing a wealth of dimensions following fermentation and maturation in old oak casks, followed by extended bottle age.  Framed by a green apple acidity the core of flavour resonates with honeycomb, citrus, even a hint of marmalade.  It is broad and complex – and demonstrates what phenomenal quality can be discovered under £20 a bottle when one steps outside the boundaries of the big name grape varieties.

Jean-François Merieau Tirage Limite Sauvignon Rose 2008 @ £21.00
Sauvignon Rose, also known as Sauvignon Gris, is believed to predate Sauvignon Blanc, displaying the same level of acidity but with a wider variety of aromatics without the gooseberry or nettle characteristics of its better known cousin.  Almost abandoned as a variety due to its ridiculously low yields, there remain a few devotees in the Loire, Graves and Chile who are finding an audience for its unique integrated characteristics and flavours,  Only 1500 bottles were made of this wine, using a combination of stainless steel, 25% new oak and some enthusiastic ‘batonnage’.  The result is a rich and complex white wine with distinct dried apricot on the nose with honey suckle notes, followed by a refreshing Sauvignon acidity on the palate.  Its intensity broadens with age.

Follow the link to see all of Jean-François Merieau's wines that we list.

Both these wines will partner a variety of well flavoured poultry and fish dishes, and prove a worthy match for aged white cheeses.  These are fine wines that deserve an attentive and appreciating audience and will bring enormous pleasure to the broad minded wine drinker.

Do you enjoy good food & wine? Live in or near Hungerford? Then this is the perfect event for you!

We have teamed up with Gillian Hern & Christopher Box of the Crown & Garter in Inkpen to launch a new monthly supper club.

At just £20 per person this is fantastic value for money, plus a fun and relaxed way to learn more about food and wine.

We have recently designed a brand-new wine list for Gill and Chris, specially themed to autumn drinking and to partner the seasonal food that Chris produces from fresh, local ingredients. There are a number of wines served by the glass, so you can always be sure of something delicious to drink whether you are sharing a bottle with friends over dinner or just a glass of wine after work in the evening .

So, if you'd like to find out more about our Hungerford Supper Club why not come along to our launch event on Tuesday 4th October from 7pm to 8.30pm?

We'll have selection of wines from the new list open to taste and there will be a set menu supper on offer at £20. Please call The Crown and Garter on 01488 668325 to reserve you space. There is no charge for the wine tasting.

Hungerford Supper Club dates:

• Tuesday 1st November
• Tuesday 6th December

7.30pm for 8pm prompt start

£25 per person to include supper and wines. Please book direct with The Crown and Garter on 01488 668325.

It is now even easier than ever to book a place for one of our events. Simply click the 'buy tickets'* link when browsing through the events list on our web site.

This months events...

• Friday 15th September: Tasting & Tapas @ Overton.
  Buy tickets online (please note, your receipt is your proof of purchase. No tickets sent out)

• Tuesday 20th September: New World vs. Old World at Red Lion, Overton
  (please book direct with Red Lion on 01256 773 36)

• Thursday 22nd September: Caviste Odiham Fine Wine & food evening
  Buy tickets online (please note, your receipt is your proof of purchase. No tickets sent out)

• Friday 23rd September: Caviste Overton Introduction to Food & Wine Matching
  Buy tickets online (please note, your receipt is your proof of purchase. No tickets sent out)
• Thursday 29th September: Caviste Odiham supper club
  Buy tickets online (please note, your receipt is your proof of purchase. No tickets sent out)

*Online booking for September events only for now. October & November will be added soon. Check our blog/Twitter/Facebook for more details as we add them...

That's right, save 10% off English and Argentine wines when you buy 12+ bottles in our Rugby World Cup wine offer.

Or save 5% if you buy 6 bottles.

The Rugby World Cup kicked off yesterday and so did our promotion in all 3 Cavsite shops.

9am might be a bit early for a glass of Nieto Malbec or Kenton Vineyard Estate White but by the time you've had a couple of bacon sarnies who knows!

Our promotion will last right through the world cup with discounts off wine producing countries that are playing that day [discounts as above]. So, get into the action and plan your World Cup party, BBQ or breakfast AND save money some tasty wines too.

Plan ahead and click here to get fixture list.

Caviste Hungerford being small yet perfectly formed doesn't really have the space for larger wine tastings. So this Autumn we are taking Caviste out onto the road with tastings and suppers in the beautiful West Berks village of Inkpen. We've teamed up with Gill and Christopher at the Crown & Garter to offer a series of events that we hope will be great fun and and introduce some of our latest discoveries as well as old favourites to the local wine loving population!

We will also be repeating last years very successful Autumn wine tasting at Benchmark furniture where you will be able to look around their latest collections and taste  a range of Caviste wines for Autumn entertaining and perhaps even with Christmas in mind. Robin and his team from Bastable Bros will once again provide tasty canapés to fortify you whilst you taste wine and brose the showrooms of furniture.

Finally, we will again be opening the shop late for the Hungerford Victorian Extravaganza. An opportunity to come and Christmas shop while wandering through Hungerford lit up by the glow of their fantastic Christmas lights (by far the best locally!) and enjoy many of the attractions and stalls. Taste some wines to help you make your Yuletide selections and round it all off with the annual firework display over the canal. 10,000+ people come into Hungerfod for this late night shopping event so it's probably wise to come early and wrap up warm if you are staying for the parade and fireworks!

CAVISTE HUNGERFORD SATURDAY TASTINGS

1^st Saturday of every month

Venue: Hungerford Shop

Start: 10.30am to 5.30pm

Free of charge

We always have wines open for taste, but on the first Saturday of each month we will be opening a range of 8 to 10 wines to highlight the ever changing range at Caviste, as well as some old favourites. Check our blog, Facebook or Twitter to see what is open to taste each week.

CAVISTE WINTER TASTING

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday 19^th November (Venue and times to be confirmed)

To celebrate the arrival of Christmas we are holding a Caviste tasting of all our favourite wines for Christmas and lots more besides. We are inviting a number of producers to come and pour their wines, and will have lots of offers and exclusives.

£10 per person refundable on a spend of over £100 at the tasting.

CAVISTE HUNGERFORD @ CROWN & GARTER, INKPEN RG17 9QR
(please call The Crown and Garter direct on 01488 668325)

Tuesday 4th October: Launch tasting for Crown & Carter Caviste wine list

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our most recent restaurant partnership with The Crown & Garter. We have selected a range of wines that reflect the seasonal cooking of this wonderful village pub, with a number of delicious wines by the glass. Gill Hern and Christopher Box have developed a wonderfully warm and inviting setting in which to serve their locally sourced food and we feel that the addition of our wines, and the events that we will be running throughout the year will compliment the offering perfectly.

Crown and Garter and are holding an exclusive tasting to introduce the wines on the new wine list in the recently refurbished pub! Wines supplied by Caviste. We'll also be launching the new Hungerford Supper Club at this event - to be held regularly at the Crown & Garter.

There will also be a set menu supper on offer, please call The Crown and Garter on 01488 668325 to reserve you space.  There is no charge for the wine tasting.

Hungerford Supper Club:
A new series of Hungerford Supper Clubs. Join us for a relaxed, social and informative evening of wine tasting accompanied by a superb 2 course meal cooked by Christopher using local and seasonal food.

• Tuesday 1st November
• Tuesday 6th December

7.30pm for 8pm prompt start @ £25 per person

AUTUMN TASTING @ BENCHMARK FURNITURE, KINTBURY RG17 9SA

Thursday 13th October

7-9pm

Free of charge

Taste wines for Autumn entertaining or just everyday pleasure. Explore our recent discoveries from France, Italy, South Africa and Slovakia as well as latest releases from old favourites.