Wiping Down: Clare from The Gourmet Grocer
Clare and her husband Gareth have been running the Gourmet Grocer in Fordingbridge for a long time now, and this April marks the one year anniversary of their newer venture Juniper & Vine. We had a quick chat with them on a delivery run to peel back the lid on this awesome little spot on the edge of the New Forest…
How long has Gourmet Grocer been going? How did it start?
The Gourmet Grocer has been going for almost nine years, with its ninth anniversary coming up this November. We’re long time residents of Fordingbridge and we often talked about what our little town needed to thrive again. Top of our list was a greengrocer. Around the same time, I was at a bit of a crossroads after nine years working for Help for Heroes. Ready for a new challenge, the idea that someone should do it turned into, ‘why don’t we do it?’ And that decision led to The Gourmet Grocer.
Any favourite local food and drink producers?
We try to champion as many local producers as we can. For us it’s not just about what we personally like – it’s about what our customers love and the people who share our ethos and values. That said, there are a few favourites that naturally rise to the top. Gareth is passionate about supporting our brilliant local brewers and anything from Eight Arch always gets his attention.
As for me, I’m a big fan of bubbles, and I love the Blanc de Blancs from Langham. They’re an English wine maker in Dorset and it’s incredible.
We’re also proud to work with and support some fantastic producers including New Forest Smokery, Fordingbridge Fudge, From Dorset With Love, Summerdown, Isle of Wight Tomatoes, New Forest Cake House, Book and Bucket Cheese, and Lyburn Cheese – to name just a few.
You also have Juniper & Vine down the road, tell us more on that…
Juniper and Vine is a year old this April. By day it’s a sort of cafe, deli and wine bar, but three nights a week we are open as a wine bar with a separate menu. The day menu is cafe style with light lunches. But in the evening it’s cheese, charcuterie, and more tapas style food. We do a cheese and meat board, which features four cheeses and four cured meats, and it changes every week and it comes accompanied with fresh fruit, dried fruit, salads, breads and crackers. Perfect grazing food while having a glass of something delicious.
You’re late for a party, and you’re bringing the cheese and wine, what’s your go-to grab?
Brie infused with black truffle and Ca' Vittoria Appassimento Rosso.
