A CHANCE to sample tapas-style dishes and fine wine is a recipe for success as far as a popular north Hampshire business is concerned.

Following a complete revamp at its Winchester Street shop in Overton, wine merchant Caviste now offers delicious tapas dishes made from Hampshire ingredients.

And to celebrate the change, Caviste held two consecutive launch parties, attracting 100 people each night.

Among the guests wishing the business success with its new concept was North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young. Caviste general manager Graham Devereux is delighted with the support the business has had from local residents and customers from further afield.

He said: “We had done quite a lot of research and found there is a genuine interest in a wine bistro offering here. And we were able to validate that during the summer’s sheep fair when our shop was packed with people.”

Back then customers were offered pie, but now they can enjoy a platter of tapas alongside a glass or bottle of wine from Caviste’s range of more than 1,000 mainly boutique labels. Managing director Ben Llewelyn said: “Customers are now able to come and relax at a table and take in the surroundings whilst enjoying a choice of delicious tapas with a glass or bottle from our range of wines.

“We have intentionally kept the offering very simple. We are not cooking the food ourselves but providing something prepared by local producers, and the daily choice will be limited to a small selection. “However, we expect things to change daily, and seasonally, and as we discover more producers, so the breadth of the menu will increase too. “Our only stipulation is that the produce must be from Hampshire, grown with Hampshire ingredients by Hampshire residents.”

Ben said Caviste is currently working with Laverstoke Farm and Newlyns Farm, supplemented with bread from Sherlock Parties, based in North Oakley, and chutneys and relishes supplied by The Wellington Arms, at Baughurst. He added: “Retailing in the current environment is not easy but there is absolutely no doubt that our customers are pleased with our offer as evidenced by our 10 per cent growth in sales for the same period last year. “The new concept, together with the wide range of events we have planned for the area, will continue to improve our performance.”