FOOD + DRINK
ALL HAIL THE GRAPE
BY OLIVIA RICCINI
FAMOUSLY KNOWN AS ‘ THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND ’ FOR OVER 400 YEARS , THE GLORIOUS COUNTY OF KENT HAS MORE RECENTLY CLAIMED A NEWLY FITTING IDENTITY . ONE SIMPLE WORD HAS BEEN ADDED TO ITS TITLE AND THIS COUNTY KNOWN FOR ITS FRUITFUL ORCHARDS AND BUSTLING HOP-FARMS , HAS NOW PROUDLY BEEN CHRISTENED ‘ WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND ’. HOME TO OVER 50 LUSCIOUS VINEYARDS THAT INCLUDE FAMOUS AND AWARD-WINNING ENGLISH WINE MAKERS THAT CAN BE FOUND IN MERCHANTS BOTH COUNTRY AND WORLD-WIDE , THIS NEWLY COINED TITLE IS ONE THAT KENT CHAMPIONS SEAMLESSLY .
CHAPEL DOWN © John Miller Kits Coty SQUERRYES
BIDDENDEN VINEYARDS
Favoured south facing slopes on thin free-draining chalky soil , good light levels and fair climate are the all-important factors that place Kent at the heart of British winemaking . These conditions parallel those which create the fertile environment for traditional French wines , including the legendary Champagne region of France . This , combined with the hard-work , dedication and passion from growers and makers , has resulted in Kentish wines sweeping the floor this year in a number of prestigious wine competitions .
The Decanter World Wine Awards , the world ’ s largest and most influential wine competition , have just announced their ‘ Best in Show ’ medal winners for 2021 . With wines from 17 countries making this year ’ s esteemed list , Kent has joined locations from Europe and the New World with Westerham based vineyard Squerryes , attaining recognition for their Late Disgorged Brut 2011 . Squerryes say that this is a testament to the quality of the fruit grown on Kent ’ s North Downs and with only 0.28 % of the 18,094 wines tasted winning a Best in Show medal , this has truly shone a spotlight on what has now been crowned the UK ’ s finest sparkling wine .
This year a record number of wines were entered into the Wines of Great Britain Awards 2021 , with the highest ever amount of 24 producers entering for the first time . Among the entries were a vast and varied array of different wine styles which showcased the uniqueness and innovation of vineyards in the
UK . With over 300 entries , 37 Gold Medals , 107 Silver Medals and 131 Bronze Medals awarded , Kent again proved to the world why it is truly deserved of its newly appointed title .
England ’ s leading winemaker and largest producer , Chapel Down , came up trumps in the awards winning two trophies as well as gold , silver and bronze medals . Their 2015 Kit ’ s Coty Coeur de Cuvée won ‘ Best Prestige Cuvée ’ and their 2019 Kit ’ s Coty Bacchus claimed ‘ Best Still Bacchus ’. Chapel Down also nabbed a whopping four golds for their 2015 Kit ’ s Coty Blanc de Blancs , 2018 Kit ’ s Coty Chardonnay , 2019 Kit ’ s Coty Bacchus and 2015 Kit ’ s Coty Coeur de Cuvée . Their silver medals were obtained for their 2020 Pinot Noir Rose and
83