English Wine
an you think of any four words which go together better than Free English Wine Tasting? "Well, quite a few, actually," may have once been a reasonable response, but we're in the midst of a golden era of English - and in particular, Kent and Sussex - wines, helped by last year's splendid wine producing conditions. Hotel Du Vin hosted a tasting event on Thursday, and Mr Anke and I couldn't resist popping in to enjoy a little tipple and pick up a couple of bottles to augment the Anke Christmas Wine Mountain. And can I just say, not a single dud passed our lips. I can only apologise to the wines I didn't manage to taste, but there's always next year to look forward to...
This is what I got...
Sandhurst 2009 Bacchus Dry White (£8.50) - I've been searching high and low the perfect crisp white, little knowing that all this time I didn't have to look further than Cranbrook. They reckon it's "akin to a good quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc"...I reckon it may (gasp) possibly be better. I don't say this lightly, because there aren't many things I like more than a New Zealand Sauv Blanc - Mr Anke, sleep, and the song of a blackbird possibly. But why on earth did I only buy two bottles of it? Might have to nip across to Cranbrook and stock up.
Sandhurst Ales (£2.15 a bottle) - because Uncle Steve loves his ale, and I'm always on the lookout for something new and interesting for him to try. He'll like these - they're made with good hops and that vital ingredient of love. And he's got a choice of Legend (a dark ale), Tradition (a bitter) and Epic (a mild; at least I think I got that in the right order).
Breaky Bottom Kir Royale (£20.50) and Crème de Cassis (£8.00) - Husband-and-wife sparkling wine specialists, who also grow their own blackcurrants to use in these two products. Although I should add that their non-blackcurranty wares are well worth a go, too. The cassis is particularly notable because Brighton's renowned Terre a Terre use it, and I'm looking forward to pepping up my puds with it (a cassis crumble has been recommended). If you're aware of another English cassis, I'd be interested to know; this is a special and possibly unique tipple.
...and this is what I will be getting...
Marksman English Quality Sparkling Wine (22.00) - If you find this this lurking shyly on the bottom shelf Tunbridge Wells M&S, don't hesitate, just get in there and grab as many as you can. This in in fact made by multi award-winning winery Ridgeview, who Decanter reckon make The Best English Sparkling Wine in the World. And having tried them - the South Ridge one with the sexy black label in particular - I can't really argue. And I might nip down to Oddbins and pick up a bottle of Cavendish while I'm at it.
Chapel Down Curious Brew. Chapeldown have applied their considerable winemaking expertise to lager. Yes, lager. But a lager of rare loveliness - clean, crisp and refreshing. You can find kegs of Curious Brew in many discerning establishments - not in Tunbridge Wells sadly, but I live in hope.
Biddenden Gribble Bridge Rose (c.£8.92). I apologise profusely to Biddenden Vineyards, because when I'm in The Secret Cellar, and I'm on the hunt for a rose, I always bypass this one and go for the Domaine de Pellehaut. I'll make a point of distributing my funds more fairly in future, as this is a truly lovely, fragrant drop.
I will also be buying some Biddenden cider from the Nice Offy on Grosvenor Hill Road, to cook and drink with my Boxing Day ham, and possibly do the odd spot of wassailling.
Wassail! wassail! all over the town,
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown...
And our wine it is English!
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