Berkshire


<p>Love wine? Hell yes – and that love affair certainly peaked during lockdown. This week you might want to swap your go-to plonk for something made on home soil. Well, it is English Wine Week (19-27 June). It would be rude not to.</p>



<p>A warmer climate, soil not dissimilar to the Champagne region, and a serious amount of investment has got the wine industry sitting up like meerkats. So we got our friends Fiona Hayes and Katherine Dart of Berkshire-based <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://grapeandnectar.com/" target="_blank">Grape Nectar</a> to reveal the English Wines they&#8217;ll be raising a glass this year. Over to your Fiona for your fab five…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Hambledon   (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hambledonvineyard.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hambledon</a> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="900" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Hambledon-PREMERE-CUVEE.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-35876" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Hambledon-PREMERE-CUVEE.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Hambledon-PREMERE-CUVEE-300x270.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Hambledon-PREMERE-CUVEE-556x500.jpg 556w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Hambledon-PREMERE-CUVEE-150x135.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Hambledon-PREMERE-CUVEE-768x691.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Hambledon-PREMERE-CUVEE-583x525.jpg 583w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hambledon is England&#8217;s oldest commercial vineyard, so it makes sense that the vineyards are in the prime location to make decent wine. The grapes are grown on the same soil as that in Champagne and this helps to produce some of the best English sparkling that you will taste. The cherry on the cake is that you can dine in the vineyards, fancy getting married or doing a spot of yoga amongst the vines, then take a look at their website. </p>



<p><strong>One to try</strong>: Splash out then their <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Première Cuvée (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hambledonvineyard.co.uk/collections/english-sparkling-wines/products/hambledon-premiere-cuvee" target="_blank">Première Cuvée</a>, it&#8217;s simply delicious. Available: Waitrose, Fortnum &amp; Mason, Majestic<br></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Rathfinny Estate (opens in a new tab)" href="https://rathfinnyestate.com/" target="_blank">Rathfinny Estate</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Rathfinny-Classic-Cuvee.jpg" alt="Rathfinny Classic cuvee" class="wp-image-35875" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Rathfinny-Classic-Cuvee.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Rathfinny-Classic-Cuvee-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Rathfinny-Classic-Cuvee-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Rathfinny-Classic-Cuvee-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Rathfinny-Classic-Cuvee-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Rathfinny-Classic-Cuvee-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Rathfinny-Classic-Cuvee-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Relative new comers, this once arable farm located in Sussex has been transformed into a rather impressive vineyard, with the first vines planted in 2012. With South facing slopes on chalk soils and only three miles from the coast, these are perfect conditions to grow grapes for their sparkling wines. </p>



<p><strong>One to try:</strong> Their <a href="https://grapeandnectar.com/pages/shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Classic Cuvée (opens in a new tab)">Classic Cuvée</a>, which is a vintage bubbles that benefits from a generous 36 months on lees is delicious and a go to at Grape &amp; Nectar when looking for a fizz to drink. Available via <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Grape &amp; Nectar (opens in a new tab)" href="https://grapeandnectar.com/" target="_blank">Grape &amp; Nectar</a> or direct through the Rathfinny website. <br>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://flintvineyard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Flint Vineyards (opens in a new tab)">Flint Vineyards</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Flint-Vineyards-BACCHUS.jpg" alt="Flint Vineyards BACCHUS" class="wp-image-35874" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Flint-Vineyards-BACCHUS.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Flint-Vineyards-BACCHUS-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Flint-Vineyards-BACCHUS-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Flint-Vineyards-BACCHUS-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Flint-Vineyards-BACCHUS-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Flint-Vineyards-BACCHUS-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Run by husband and wife team Ben and Hannah Witchell, you&#8217;ll find this Norfolk-based producer in the Waveney Valley. Ben learnt how to ‘throw out the rule book’ while working in Beaujolais, France and has brought his knowledge and passion to <a href="https://flintvineyard.com/wine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Flint Vineyard (opens in a new tab)">Flint Vineyard</a> where he mainly focusses on still wines – it&#8217;s well worth seeking out. </p>



<p><strong>One to try:</strong> If you love Sauvignon blanc then the <a href="https://flintvineyard.com/shop/?wpf_page=1&amp;id=wpf_5ef503de2ce6f&amp;wpf=1&amp;wpf_cols=2&amp;wpf_wpf_cat=flint-wines-shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Bacchus (opens in a new tab)">Bacchus</a> will be right up your street, the flinty soils give the structure of a Sancerre, but the winemaking style is similar to New Zealand examples. Available from Corrk, grape britannia or via <a href="https://flintvineyard.com/wine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Flint (opens in a new tab)">Flint</a>&#8216;s website</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><br><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Harrow and Hope (opens in a new tab)" href="https://harrowandhope.com/" target="_blank">Harrow and Hope</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Harrow-and-Hope-Blanc-De-Blanc.png" alt="Harrow and Hope Blanc De Blanc" class="wp-image-35873" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Harrow-and-Hope-Blanc-De-Blanc.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Harrow-and-Hope-Blanc-De-Blanc-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Harrow-and-Hope-Blanc-De-Blanc-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Harrow-and-Hope-Blanc-De-Blanc-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Harrow-and-Hope-Blanc-De-Blanc-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/Harrow-and-Hope-Blanc-De-Blanc-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Voted UK winery of the year in 2019 by Wine GB, <a href="https://harrowandhope.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Harrow &amp; Hope (opens in a new tab)">Harrow &amp; Hope</a> is one to watch. Based in Marlow, local to where Katherine of <a href="https://grapeandnectar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Grape &amp; Nectar (opens in a new tab)">Grape &amp; Nectar</a> is based, we love the fact that this is a small, family owned business, growing high quality grapes on a single vineyard plot and fermenting the wines in small batches. </p>



<p><strong>One to try</strong>: We&#8217;d recommend their <a href="https://harrowandhope.com/our-wines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Blanc de Blanc (opens in a new tab)">Blanc de Blanc</a>. Available direct from their website</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.gusbourne.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Gusbourne (opens in a new tab)">Gusbourne</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/landscape_md_Gusbourne_Pinot_Noir_03.jpg" alt="landscape_md_Gusbourne_Pinot_Noir_03" class="wp-image-35872" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/landscape_md_Gusbourne_Pinot_Noir_03.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/landscape_md_Gusbourne_Pinot_Noir_03-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/landscape_md_Gusbourne_Pinot_Noir_03-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/landscape_md_Gusbourne_Pinot_Noir_03-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/landscape_md_Gusbourne_Pinot_Noir_03-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/landscape_md_Gusbourne_Pinot_Noir_03-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It would be amiss of us not to include Kent in our best pick line up, and <a href="https://www.gusbourne.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Gusbourne Estate (opens in a new tab)">Gusbourne Estate</a> are the growers leading the way. Although they have vineyards in Sussex, the majority of the grapes come from the clay and loam soils of Kent. Their talented winemaker, Charlie Holland is responsible for making a mix of still and sparkling wines that really are deserving of being crowned English Wine Producer of the Year by the IWSC on numerous occasions. </p>



<p><strong>One to try:</strong> We would thoroughly recommend their <a href="https://www.gusbourne.com/wines/rose" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Sparkling Rosé (opens in a new tab)">Sparkling Rosé</a> or the still <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Pinot Noir (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.gusbourne.com/wines/pinot-noir" target="_blank">Pinot Noir</a>. Available: Direct from their website, Borough box, Fortnum &amp; Mason, Waitrose.</p>



<p><strong><em>Need wine advice, contact <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://grapeandnectar.com/" target="_blank">Grape &amp; Nectar</a> who can curate, introduce you to new wines via their monthly wine subscriptions boxes and can source bottles for your mini cellar or event.</em></strong></p>



<p><strong>Looking for more drinkspiration?</strong></p>



<ul><li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/drinks/best-rose-wines-berkshire/">TICKLED PINK! FIVE ROCKING ROSÉS</a></li><li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/drink-eat-out/berkshire-english-wines/">GLUG! VINEYARDS IN THE BERKSHIRE ‘HOOD</a></li><li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/home/food-drinks/new-independent-drinks-brands/">BOTTOMS UP! THE BEST NEW INDIE DRINKS</a></li></ul>


5 epic English wines: from bubbles to Bacchus

You may also like