Today (June 20) sees the start of English Wine Week (EWW). So to celebrate Times Drinks Editor James Viner picks the best of the local bunch.
Coinciding with the traditional start of the tourist season, this annual campaign is organised by WineGB to promote the English and Welsh wine industry, which has around 750 commercial vineyards, 164 wineries and is chiefly focused on sparkling wines.
Given the restrictions on the hospitality trade, this year’s event will run quite differently and instead be largely celebrated virtually. Many of our best – and now oftentimes cash-strapped – local producers will use their social media channels to host a series of online tastings throughout EWW to promote their businesses and to help sell their wines.
A huge fan of Kent and Sussex’s ever-improving wines (grab as much of the brilliant 2018 vintage as you can!), I’m raising a glass to EWW with five top-notch bottles produced right here on our doorsteps. Come rain or shine, give these a try…
1)SEEK OUT THIS ACCOMPLISHED ’18 WHITE FROM WEST SUSSEX
Stopham Estate Pinot Blanc 2018, W. Sussex (Stopham, £15; Waitrose Cellar, £15.95)
Stopham
As readers will be aware, I’m a fan of Stopham Estate’s textural, stone-and-orchard fruit-stashed 2018 pinot blanc. You can win a bottle of this skilful, light-bodied dry wine, made from this otherwise commonly quiescent grape variety, in this week’s competition. Join Stopham’s Instagram live tasting with Brad Horne Thursday 25th June at 6pm and another on Friday 26th June at 7pm with Marie Davies. Alc 11% (See below how you can win a bottle of this excellent vinious offering.)
2)SINGLE-VINEYARD, TINY-PARCEL, STAR WHITE FROM KENT
Simpsons Estate “On the QT” Bin 18: Single Vineyard Pinot Meunier Blanc de Noirs 2018, Kent (Waitrose Cellar, £15.99 but down to £12.99, July 8-29)
Usually vinified as the fruity blending ingredient for champagne, to my surprise, thin-skinned, black-berried pinot meunier can make a lovely still white wine. This is a fabulous specimen from the North Downs of Kent unmistakably serving up oodles of drinkability and a je ne sais quoi modicum of complexity. It’s mid-weighted, vibrant and a joy to drink, all small red/poached summer fruits with sparklets of citrusy acidity. Just 2004 bottles were made; a sheer labour of love. Alc 12.5%
3)TOP OF THE POPS BARGAIN PINK OWN-LABEL SUPERMARKET FIZZ FROM KENT
Co-op Irresistible Eight Acres Sparkling Rosé NV, Hush Heath Estate, Kent (Co-op, £18)
Gorgeous, tangy, strawberry-and-forest-berry-scented pale pink English bubbly from one of the county’s finest producers, Hush Heath Estate, in nearby Staplehurst. This has mellow flavour, a certain breadth and the yum-factor. Zippy acidity bops forth on the stylish, lighter-framed palate. A charming, joyful, great-value aperitif, brunch and picnic wine. Its vital statistics are 55% chardonnay, 41% cent pinot noir and 4% pinot meunier. Bargain+++. Alc 11.5%
4) SPARKLING SPLENDOUR FROM WEST SUSSEX
Wiston Estate Brut NV, Washington, W. Sussex (Wiston, Lea & Sandeman, Hennings Wine, £26.50)
Nab this seamless, complex, lemon shortbread, apple frangipani tart, buttery brioche and toasted mouthful. It’s a beautiful English wine made by a talented Irishman on a family-run estate in the rolling South Downs. Traces of nuts and stone fruit glide around the edges. Dive in because this is a beautifully invigorating, top-class traditional method bottle containing equal parts chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir. Deliciously well played. Alc 12%
5) CLASSY RED FROM THE HOT & DREAMY ’18 VINTAGE
Sharpham Pinot Noir 2018, Devon ( Elizabeth Rose English Wines, £19.99)
If there’s one thing that gets wine lovers hot under the collar, it’s fine, non-gum-bashing pinot noir. But it’s never cheap! This is a proud and superb example from a pretty vineyard located on the estate of Sharpham House near Totnes on the river Dart, Devon. Mouth-filling waves of strawberry, black cherry, plus gentle spice/florals follow precisely in the tracks of the bouquet. A spindle of light tannin keeps everything whirring to a moreish finale. Matured 8 months in old French oak. Its quality (2018 was THE hot/ground-breaking vintage) is right up there. Hello, grilled salmon, charcuterie or pâtés. Alc 12%
WineGB’s excellent website has a ‘Shop Local’ directory where you can search for vineyards and retailers listing English (and Welsh) wines near you. Find out more here
Join in the conversation!
Follow #englishwineweek, @Wine_GB & @QuixoticWine on Twitter and other social media to discover what else may be going on
WIN A BOTTLE OF WINE FROM STOPHAM ESTATE VINEYARD
Stopham Estate’s story originated in 2007 when winemaker Simon Woodhead planted 21,000 vines on the six-hectare (15-acre) property after completing his course at Plumpton College in East Sussex.
Question: WHAT’S THE NAME OF THE ASSISTANT WINEMAKER WHO JOINED SIMON IN 2010?
The prize draw is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over. To enter, respond by Sunday 28 June 2020 with your answer (and a contact number) to the following email address: competitionttw@protonmail.com.
The winner’s contact details will be passed to Stopham in order to ensure that the prize can be received. Best of luck
