Shop/Company Reviews

(Please note, our Stockbridge shop is now closed)

Wine Merchant Toasts Win
Glasses are being raised at local independent wine merchant Caviste as the team toasts winning a top award.

The delighted north Hampshire-based firm has landed the Regional Wine Merchant of the Year for the South East of England title at the International Wine Challenge Awards for the second time.

Caviste was judged by the International Wine Challenge – widely regarded as ‘the Oscars’ of the wine industry – as being the best wine merchant in South East England for its wine list, customer service, store layout and marketing.

Established in 2003 Caviste has four shops – in Overton, Stockbridge, Hungerford and at Newlyns Farm Shop, near Odiham.

Focusing on interesting, small production wines from around the world, the Caviste shops offer expert advice and an extensive range, from everyday drinking choices to fine and collectable wines. David said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this highly prestigious award for a second time. It is a huge achievement to be recognised once again by our industry as being the best in our region, and a great testament to the Caviste team who work so hard, and our customers who support our shops.”

It was the second time the company has entered the awards, which it won in 2008.

Basingstoke Gazette, September 2010

Go on a Journey of Discovery
In Search of a Top Tipple

If a great bottle of wine features high on your list of life’s pleasures then Caviste is certainly a local name worth knowing. This award-winning independent wine merchant has two stores in Hampshire and one in Hungerford – find them in Overton, Odiham and Hungerford.

At Caviste, the pleasure is as much about discovering that great wine as drinking it. Trips to far-flung vineyards means the shelves are always boasting exciting new discoveries – from the boutique, independent producer, to classic names. Step into any one of their gorgeous stores and you’ll certainly feel the place infused with an absolute passion for what they do; a passion the lovely team pass on through a calendar of fantastic events.

Pay a visit to one of the tutored tastings, masterclasses, winemaker dinners, or the free weekly and seasonal open tastings, and you’ll find the enthusiasm is really quite contagious.

thisisyourkingdom.co.uk, July 2010

Useful wine merchant with a nice list

Jamie Goode, Wineanorak.com

There is an impressive number of independent producers on the list as well as more recognisable names, and there are frequent tastings to help talented emerging winemakers become more famililar to buyers. Rising stars of Australia's Barossa Valley are a particular speciality.

The Guardian, December 2007

Wine/Producer Reviews

Jancis Robinson MW, Sure Fire Wine selection December 2010

2007 Les Sens de Fruit, Jonc Blanc, Bergerac France
“Very solid, sensible and classic - proper wine (not tarted up)! Chock full of life and somehow so healthy-tasting that I couldn't imagine a hangoverfrom this. Lots of potential for ageing. Just 12.5%.”

2008 Susterris Negre, Castell d’Encus Spain
"Catalan blend of Bordeaux varieties with a perceptible hint of Syrah that leaps out of the glass with its ripe, fresh, direct appeal. 14.5%”

2009 Crozes Hermitage, Domaine les Bruyeres, France
“David Reynaud has taken his family domaine out of the local co-op and farms biodynamically, since 2007. Unoaked, luscious, rather saltynorthern Rhône Syrah that is full of life and remarkably supple.”

2009 Macon Solutré-Pouilly, Domaine Cheveau, France
“Minerally, really luscious and interesting. Lots of personality with a chalky finish. Impressively persistent.”

2008 1er Cru Fourneaux, Patrick Piuze Chablis France
“Exciting combination of (new) producer and vintage. Great purity. Any leftovers should be lovely next Christmas too.”

Jancis Robinson MW, Financial Times and Purplepages.com

 2006 Lalama, Dominio do Bibei, Ribeira Sacra Spain
“The Lalama 2006 is that rare thing, a fully ripe wine packed with flavour but only 12.5% alcohol. 85% Mencía, 7% Garnacha and the rest made up of the local Brancellao and Mouraton varieties. This is a thoroughly energetic wine that really does express its very distinctivehomeland.” November 2010

Patrick Piuze, Chablis France
 “Here is a truly thrilling new producer of hand-crafted Chablis, designed to showcase the individuality of different terroirs, not just at premier (and one grand) cru level, but within that very substantial area devoted to AC Chablis. There is also one of the bestPetit Chablis I have ever tasted.”  October 2010

Patrick Piuze, Terroirs de Fyé 2009 Chablis 17 Drink 2010-2018
“Reticent, lightly smoky nose. Very juicy - a sort of Beaujolais of a Chablis. Super-succulent and open but with an admirable spine. Quite concentrated. 12%.”

Decanter Magazine

2005 Fleuve Blanc Vouvray, J-F Merireau Loire France
“Jaw-dropping , pure, but textured with apple blossom notes and amazing acidity 18/20”

2008 Metis, Hawkes Bay New Zealand
“A restrained and impressive beauty with herb flecked characters, crisp and crunchy citrus fruit rhubarb elderflower and minerals 16.5”

2009 Gran Cardiel, Rueda Spain
“Great value white”

Wine Gang (Tim Atkin MW et al)

2007 Ermita del Conde, Castilla y Leon Spain 92/100
2007 Alluviale Blanc, Hawkes Bay New Zealand 91/100
2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Dom de la Graveirette Rhone France 92/100
2005 Cent Boisselées, P-J Druet, Bourgeuil, Loire France 91/100

Bob Campell MW (New Zealand guru)

2008 Alluviale Blanc, Hawkes Bay New Zealand
“Soft, fleshy and quite flavoursome Sauvignon Blanc with pure nectarine and peach flavours that linger impressively on the finish. Gentle wine with a pleasantly dry finish. Hawke's Bay Sauvignon Blanc doesn't get a lot better than this.”

James Halliday (Australian guru)

Spinifex
“The wine is made in open fermenters, basket-pressed, partial wild (indigenous) fermentations, and relatively long post-ferment maceration. This is at once a very old approach, but nowadays à la mode. The wines are made at Spinifex's winery in Vine Vale, where Peter also makes wines for a number of clients to whom he consults. So far as I am concerned Spinifex out-Torbrecks Torbreck”