Review

April has been a most frenetic month for the wine trade, and for those of you who have managed to miss it, the Bordeaux 2012 have finally been released. It has probably not escaped your notice that this has gone off like a damp squib, and in fact despite many very pleasant wines being produced, it was an expensive harvest with low yields. There is also a huge amount of 2011 unsold, and 2010, and very soon 2013 will be pushed through the pipes, so it may well do to hold off for a few months and see how the markets stabilise before putting your money into the wines. This month Caviste will be supporting both our own Barnaby Smith and Smith Gore’s Fin Hughes on their adventures to raise money for Walking with the Wounded, a superb cause that you can read about in more detail below; as well as hosting a tasting at the excellent Hawk Conservancy in Amport. New wines are tumbling in, if you have not tasted our rosé selection yet please do, we have some delicious wines here, and we still have a little of the excellent Bourgogne Rouge from Deliance left if you hurry.

Finally, we hope to see you at the Caviste Spring Tasting at the Cross Barn in Odiham on Saturday 11th May 10.30 til 2,30pm, entry free of charge.

Ben

GUEST WRITER

David Way is a Hampshire-based wine writer with a particular interest in the wines of Italy and France but is happy to try wines of all shapes and sizes. He has taught wine appreciation classes in Tuscany, runs Andover Wine Friends with his wife Janet and is the chief contributor to his website www.winefriend.org He has recently completed his WSET Diploma and won the Champagne scholarship for 2013. He is never happier than in good company in a vineyard or winery with a glass in hand.

David has written a piece revealing his view on 'The Old Spain'. CLICK HERE to read the full article.

HAWK CONSERVANCY TASTING

Thursday 9th May 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Hawk Conservancy, Andover, SP11 8DY

We still have tickets left for our mini Spring tasting at the Hawk Conservancy next Thursday. Tickets £10 each with 50% going to the charity. Join us to taste some great new wines and meet some of the feathered residents.

To book call 01256 770397 or email petergentilli@caviste.co.uk

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

CAVISTE SPRING TASTING
Caviste customers are all welcome to the beautiful Tudor Cross Barn off the Odiham High Street to taste 24 Wines for Spring Drinking whether for 'sunny al fresco' or ' wines for a rainy Sunday' . We shall create a special space for our recent Spanish imports and, of course, our range of exciting ross. There is no charge for entry though please email markbedford@caviste.co.uk.
Saturday May 11th,11.00am to 3.00pm, The Cross Barn, Odiham, RG29 1JX

REGENT TAILORING TASTING
Friday May 17th: 530pm - 830pm
Venue: Regent Tailoring, Salisbury. SP1 2PH
Free of Charge
email: angushunter@caviste.co.uk

OVERTON: petergentilli@caviste.co.uk
May 9th: Hawk Conservancy Tasting

ODIHAM: markbedford@caviste.co.uk
May 11th: Caviste Spring tasting

HUNGERFORD: barnabysmith@caviste.co.uk

Arrivals and Departures

Read More

As Easter creeps closer I have selected my 4 favourite wines from our Easter offers that should definitely be at the heart of the Easter Sunday lunch table this year:

Balma Cava, Mas Betran, Cava Spain. £14.95, 2 for £24

A far too regular tipple in my household this Cava is amazing and, if you haven’t been in the store recently to hear me say it, Cava is definitely cool again. We are thrilled to have the new vintage of Balma Cava in from Mas Betran. The 2008 seems to have more depth, complexity and length than the 2007, perhaps a product of the warmer vintage. This cuvee still undergoes at least 54 months 'sur lattes' and is disgorged on order. This is an incredible wine and not to be overlooked this Spring.

Albarin Blanco, Pardevalles, Tierra Leon, Spain, £9.95

For the Uncle who likes something different with his Easter Sunday roast this will be a sure win this wine has been a big hit for those who enjoy the quirkier side of life. In fact, this rare variety from Leon in Spain produces fresh, ripe grapefruit flavoured wine with wild herb flavours and zingy palate. Chill and serve with salads and Thai dishes.

Chateau Fourcas-Dupré, Listrac en Medoc, Bordeaux, £19.95, 6 for £108

We brought this in for Christmas and it was such a raging success we decided to buy some more. A perfect accompaniment for your roast lamb the complex cedar and dark brooking cassis fruit make it the  perfect claret, and would, if kept well, last a few more years.

Larmes Celestes, Brumont, Pecherenc de Vic Bilh, France, £11.50, 2 for £20

I love a good ‘sweety’ and the Larmes Celestes is no exception another Caviste favourite, this is a fabulous alternative to Sauternes produced by the fabulous Alain Brumont in the heart of the southwest of France. Works well as an aperitif, with paté or with fruit puddings, and would age a few years too, if you can resist it.

Angus Hunter

Trainee Manager, Overton

We are thrilled to have at last received the new vintage of Patricks Petit Chablis, named after his two daughters Juliette and Anais. The vineyards are above the 1er cru of Montmain in the village of Courgis, and as with all Patricks wines, this is hand harvested, natural yeast fermented with no chapitalisation (i.e. no added sugar to boost body and alcohol permitted in this region). The 2012 vintage, as with the whole of France was incredibly difficult, with yields down and careful vineyard management required to ensure the crop left was in good shape, thus a vintage for the careful and committed vigneron. However the end results of the wines produced is fabulous, with racy acidity, concentrated fruit and that all so important purity. This wine is perhaps the best we have seen, a result of Patricks continuing discovery of how to best work his vineyard, and perhaps a little to do with his new (but very old) cellar location.

2012 Patrick Piuze ‘Cuvée Juliette Anais’ Petit Chablis £15.95 per bottle

STOP PRESS: Look out for a very special bottling from Patrick, unique to Caviste in the next few weeks.

Soave is an Italian wine produced in an area near the city of Verona. Within Soave there is both a DOC and a DOCG, known as Soave Superiore. Only white wine is produced in this region with a minimum of 70% having to be the Garganega grape and an allowance of 30% to be Trebbiano di Soave. We were privileged to have Marta visit us, from Monte Tondo, to talk us through her wines.

Soave Mito - £8.95

Soave Classico - £12.95

Casette Foscarin - £16.95

Foscarin Slavinus - £19.95

Pinot Grigio - £9.95

Nettare di Bacco, Recioto di Soave - £17.95

Monte Tondo is a family owned vineyard that has been bottling their own wine since 1980; previously they had been selling grapes to a co-operative. They are passionate that their Soave should be 100% Garganega, and with exception to Casette Foscrin all their Soaves are. In 2006 Monte Tondo opened the doors to their B&B, the perfect place to really enjoy their wines and see how they are made.

Monte Tondo are proud to produce wines from any of their 25ha of vines planted all over Soave in the various zones of Soave.

Soave Mito is their entry level wine produced in 5ha of Soave DOC. 100% Garganega the Mito is an extremely fresh wine with an intense nose of peach and a wonderful acidity. A perfect everyday wine!

Soave Classico is produced in a smaller denominazione within Soave, Soave DOC Classico. Again 100% Garganega this wine has hints of almond on the palate, still maintaining that wonderful freshness. The vineyard is on ‘Monte Tondo Hill’ which is shown on the label.

Monte Tondo produce a second wine from the Soave DOC Classico denominazione, however Casette Foscarin contains 10% Trebbiano di Soave. When Monte Tondo inherited this vineyard the previous producer had planted Trebbiano di Soave vines throughout the Garganega vines. Marta and her family kept the vines to keep the history of the vineyard intact. This vineyard also has small houses throughout which the farmers have used for centuries to allow them to harvest right up to darkness and avoid walking back to the village. This is the first wine that Monte Tondo age before selling; 6 months minimum in bottle which adds a lovely richness.

Foscarin Slavinus is the only wine Monte Tondo produce within the denominazione Soave Superiore DOCG Classico. 100% Garganega this is a late harvest wine, end of October early November. Left to 30% fermentation in steel tanks the wine is then moved to oak barrels for 25 days before it is moved back to tanks for the remainder of the year and aged in bottle for 6 months before going to market. This is a truly fantastic wine with an unbelievable richness, a palate full of peach it is certainly a wine that wouldn’t disappoint any wine lover or sommelier alike.

Monte Tondo also produces a Pinot Grigio which has all the characteristics of Pinot Grigio but in a Soave style. Their first vintage, Monte Tondo planted the 1ha of vines 5 years ago but have been selling them to a co-operative up until now. After being rested on its lees for 12 hours it is then fermented in steel tanks – this resting on its lees is where it gets in encapsulating hints of bread crust.

Nettare di Bacco,  Recioto di Soave DOCG is Monte Tondo’s sweet wine. Picked at normal ripeness the grapes are left to dry for 3 months with a slow fermentation. The wine is matured in old Tonneau (600 L) for 3-4 years before moved into steel tanks to finish fermentation. Fantastic floral nose with hints of burnt orange peel Nettare di Bacco would complete any dessert!

 Buy Castell d`Encus Susterris Albarino 2011 online from Caviste

Need a dram for your Burns' supper? We have a range of fabulous whiskies from the humble blend to the magnificent malt. Don’t let your haggis feel lonely this weekend....

If you prefer red wine to toast Robbie Burns then make your haggis happy with these yummy wine suggestions...

Muret Syrah, Pays d’Oc, France £7.95
Béatrice and Christophe Muret  are the owners of Domaine Muret in the Pays d’Oc. The Domaine is  located 4 kilometres away from the historical town of Pézenas. The rolling vineyards, basking in the Mediterranean climate are flanked on one side by scrubland and on the other by plains. Tank fermented only, the flavours of black pepper, violets and wild strawberry of this unoaked Syrah really shine.

Lalama, Ribeira Sacra, Spain £19.95
Ribeira Sacra is a remote, Atlantic influenced region in Galicia with precipitous, terraced vineyards reminiscent of the Douro or Priorat. This is extreme terroir country and Dominio do Bibei has set out to try and capture its unique character using the local and indigenous varieties that include Mencia, Garnacha, Brancellao and Mouraton for the reds. No stainless steel is used here. The reds are aged on fine lees in barrique and foudre for 18 months and released to drink after 2-3 years. Lalama, at 12.5% alcohol, is tautly structured with pure raspberry fruit, floral notes, intense minerality and fine tannins. This is an exceptional wine and certainly at the forefront of the renaissance of one of Spain's most intriguing D.O's.

Slainte!

I am delighted to inform you that Caviste has just been appointed as the exclusive Wine Merchant, and Wine Correspondent to The Vintage Magazine, which is a new, online magazine aimed at, but not limited to, the active, affluent, over 50s

I am also pleased to tell you that this magazine is currently offering a three month free subscription period, and all you have to do is click on the link below, and log-in where it says ‘subscribe now’, and complete the registration process

http://www.thevintagemagazine.com/

following which you will receive two vouchers worth a minimum of £45, to be used against purchases of clothes from Cadogan & Company, the leading independent clothes shop in Hampshire, based in the Square in Winchester, and another Voucher from Caviste, giving subscribers a 20%  discount on any wine orders of more than £100 (conditions apply, see in store for details), so you can take advantage of both  these offers by subscribing to The Vintage Magazine.

The Vintage Magazine contains articles of interest across a wide range of subjects, and has been highly praised by those in high places!

“The Vintage Magazine is full of good things.  It is the first web magazine aimed at the mature, 50+ man about town, which I actually found interesting and relevant. Compensation for being older!” – Nicholas Coleridge C.B.E.

Nicholas Coleridge C.B.E. is the Managing Director of Condé Nast Magazines UK, and President of Condé Nast International, which publishes more than 100 magazines and 80 branded websites in 24 markets globally.

But The Vintage Magazine is not restricted to articles of interest to men. There are sections on Lifestyle, Fashion, Shopping, Health & Beauty, Food and Wine, Interior design, fabrics, travel and holidays, and much more, including discounts and special offers on a wide range of products and services, including some very attractive Hotel offers; in fact something for everyone.

So, why not subscribe now, and enjoy all the benefits of membership, but none of the cost, for the next three months, and if you do not wish to remain as a subscriber after that period, there is no obligation to do so, but we hope that you will be so impressed by the quality of the articles and features, that you will wish to continue as a subscriber, paying a modest annual subscription

Anyway, we believe that our customers will find this online magazine interesting, amusing, entertaining, and inspiring, in as much as it encourages people of a certain age to make the most of their lives, and shows them all the choices which are available to them, many of which we may not have thought of before!

The Vintage Magazine will be arranging a Wine Tasting with Caviste in the New Year, to which all subscribers will be invited, so I hope to see you there, if not before.

With best wishes for a very Happy Christmas, and a prosperous New Year

Ben Llewelyn
Managing Director

Don't forget (and how could given how often I've included it in mailings etc of late!), Thursday 11th October is our Autumn Wine Tasting at Benchmark Furniture, 7-9pm.

This is regular fixture in our diary now as we love the combination of Art, Benchmark's bespoke furniture and good wine. Please do join local artist Normandy Soto, Benchmark Furniture and ourselves for what should be a very enjoyable and excellent evening of art and wine.

Please read Benchmark's own blog post about the event and here are directions from Benchmark's own web site.

Best regards, Andrew