No sooner had I arrived into our Overton office, grabbed a coffee and hit the email button than I was back out of the door again...

... The first email in my inbox was from David, for me to head to the Stockbridge outpost of Caviste and cover Rachel's day off. I shouldn't say I was so pleased to be going to Stockbridge for the day and not working with my lovely colleagues in Overton - but I was delighted (I don't think any of them read this blog, so I'm safe saying that!).

Apart from meaning I would be working in the gorgeous town of Stockbridge, and in our stunning shop there beside the little tributary of the Test (Apologies for not knowing its name dear  - I blame Roz in the S4W research dept for not being able to find its name on the OS map), it also meant I got to drive past Laverstoke Park Farm. I've been meaning to drop by and explore their farm shop ever since we teamed up with Caviste in back in May.

Laverstoke Park keep a herd of magnificent Water Buffalo, which they use to make a superb Buffalo Mozzarella. The plan forming in my foodie brain was for the Mozzarella to form part of a tasty little salad with the Avocado and ripe cherry tomatoes that I'd brought with me from home for lunch (yes, for once I was THAT organised!)

So, all that remained was to choose some wine to partner the soft, squidgy ball of pure white Mozzarella.

 So, what to choose.....

As luck would have it the answer was right in front of me (well, actually, I tripped over it as I scrambled for the security alarm on opening...) We have just taken delivery of the latest vintage of Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir (If you are one of the increasing number of blog readers who are on Twitter too, then follow Rabbit Ranch (@rabbitranch) and also their 'Powered by Pinot' UK Ambassador - he's gone all 21st Century and is also on Facebook too - go Justin!)

Anyway, all that mention of Social Networking and too much techy stuff has made me thirsty!

It wasn't the Pinot that I enjoyed a glass of with my lunch - but its newly arrived sibling, the Rabbit Ranch Pinot Gris. Peachy, smokey and wonderfully creamy, with hints of toasted nuts - utterly delicious.

But fat and overweight, no sir. Elegant and full of poise. Enough acidity to cut through the natural fat of the avocado - not always the easiest of foods to partner - and the Mozzarella.

In fact, if this is what Tuesdays in Stockbridge are like, I think I'm happy covering Rachel's days off on a regular basis....

Saturday was a very busy day for Caviste. Some of Burgundy's finest producers joined us at Ashe Park in Hampshire for the 2nd Caviste Burgundy Festival. Over 100 people turned out to enjoy the lovely May weather and taste some stunning wines.

But there was one table that may have surprised Burgundy lovers. It belonged to Ruud Maasdam and Dorien Vermaas of Staete Landt winery in New Zealand. This Dutch couple emigrated nearly 2 decades ago to create their dream of fine boutique wines in one of the world's most productive wine-growing areas. So, we  sat Luud and Dorien down and asked: so, why did you choose the Blenheim area?

Caviste Burgundy Festival: Staet Landt

http://www.staetelandt.co.nz/

Last week David Thomas from Caviste and I met up with a few regular customers to taste Cathy Marshall's latest releases from South Africa.

We've been fans of Cathy's wines here on Surf4Wine for a few years now - she is a super-talented winemaker and her wines always offer outstanding value. We first came across Cathy's winemaking talents via the wines of Ridgeback, and then discovered she ws making her own wines, then under the Barefoot Wine Cellar label.

That then became BWC, and finally, in recent years, Cathy has decided to just use her own name, Catherine Marshall, as her label - very sensible when you have such great wines to shout about!

We started with the Catherine Marshall Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - deliciously limey, fresh and with a crisp, minerally finish. Great Summer drinking.

Then onto the Pinot Noir 2007 - savoury, cherry flavours and red berry fruits. Restrained oak and nice minerality. Fruit is from a selection of cool climate vineyards and the elegance really shines through.

Some excellent venison partnered the Syrah Mourvedre 2005 - spice and black pepper combine with ripe plums. Not an 'in-your-face' New World wine; much more restrained and elegant. very food friendly - especially with Venison!

Then, onto two vintages of the Catherine Marshall Syrah. The 2002 was brought along by a Caviste customer to compare to the current 2004 offering - and an intriguing comparison it provided. The wines clearly age very well, and anyone tucking away a few bottles of the current vintage will be very well rewarded. More savoury minerality - which seems to be a hallmark of Cathy's red wines plus a smoky, cedary component too.

In an increasingly value-conscious world these wines really are very well made, and incredible value - and only available via independent retailers like Caviste, and online via Surf4Wine.

Last but by no means least is Cathy's unique dessert wine, Myriad. A fortified Pinot Noir, with a just a little Merlot, it combines richness with elegance without being overly sweet. Perfect partner for creamy cheese or good dark chocolate.

Having supper with Cathy, and sharing her wines, is like sitting down with an old friend - everyone immediately feels very at ease and conversation and wine flow very happily.

It's May already, and 2009 is slipping by so fast, it feels as though someone's pushed the 'fast forward' button. Who knew just a few months ago that Barack Obama would make history in the White House? That we'd put the words 'swine' and 'flu' together in the same sentence? That the biggest hits on YouTube would be an unassuming woman from Scotland? And that one of the biggest flops on YouTube would be a grinning Scotsman?!

Change is happening all around us. And it's happening right here at Surf4Wine too. If you've been thinking that we've been a bit quiet recently, it's because we've been working hard behind the scenes. To make change that's worth waiting for.

Surf4Wine is now working with Hampshire-based independent wine merchant Caviste.

For those of you not familiar with Caviste, this award-winning independent wine merchant now has three retail outlets throughout Hampshire (in Overton, Stockbridge and at Newlyns Farm Shop near Odiham), showcasing the best that the small production wineries of the world have to offer, from everyday drinking choices to fine wines. Founded in 2003 by Roseworthy-trained winemaker, David Thomas, Caviste not only specialises in the artisan wines of the Barossa Valley, (including Spinifex, Massena, Rusden, Diggers Bluff, Hobbs and Schwarz Wine Company), but also some of the finest single-domain Burgundy and top-notch Claret. And it doesn't stop there as there is also an intriguing and tempting selection from Italy, Spain, Portugal and some of the best small wineries of South Africa. Plus fabulous sherries, rich and lucious pudding wines, vintage Armagnac and local beers.

Objectives and wines that fit very well with Surf4Wine's mission to bring winemaker and wine drinker closer together to explore the world's best wines!

Watch this space for more information...