FOOD + DRINK
A PERFECT MATCH ! FESTIVE FIZZ AND TIPPLE MATCHING
THE GLORIOUS GARDEN OF ENGLAND NEVER FAILS TO DELIVER - WHATEVER THE SEASON OR THE REASON - AND CHRISTMAS IS NO EXCEPTION . WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF VINEYARDS , ORCHARDS AND HOP FIELDS , THE COUNTY OF KENT IS ONE SPOILED FOR CHOICE WHEN IT COMES TO LOCALLY PRODUCED TIPPLES , AND IS BURSTING WITH SUPREME QUALITY WINES , CIDERS , BEERS , ALES , AND SPIRITS EACH BRIMMING WITH DISTINCT FLAVOUR AND BOASTING THEIR OWN UNIQUE CHARACTER . AS A RESULT , THERE IS A DRINK TO SUIT EVERY INDIVIDUAL , EVERY OCCASION AND THAT WORKS AS THE PERFECT MATCH TO ANY MEAL . THE FESTIVE PERIOD IS UNDENIABLY THE MOST INDULGENT TIME OF YEAR WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD AND DRINK , AND IT ’ S FINALLY TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU WILL CRAFT THE MOST MOUTHWATERING MEALS FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES TO RELISH .
From December gatherings , Christmas Day roasts and Boxing Day curries all the way through to New Year ’ s Eve cocktail parties and New Year ’ s Day comfort dishes , insideKENT has your Christmas tipple and meal matching covered . Reaching out to some of the most prolific drinks producers in Kent for their expert advice , we have compiled the ultimate guide on how to pair your festive food in divine harmony with the delicious drinks created across this wonderful county .
Greeting guests with a warm welcome
As the most awarded English sparkling wine producer , Gusbourne Vineyard have recommended their Blanc de Blancs 2016 ( www . gusbourne . com / wines / blancde-blancs ) as the ideal pure chardonnay for greeting guests at Christmas gatherings and getting them into the festive spirit . ‘ Elegantly fresh , zesty and mineral . Our Blanc de Blancs is the classic match for fresh native oysters , which are arguably at their best this time of year ,’ they told us . Gusbourne also recommends serving it up alongside a luxurious seafood sharing platter piled with prawns , mussels , lobster claws , langoustines and cockles fresh from your local fishmonger at your Christmas gatherings . Other exquisite pairings include a lightly dressed king prawn cocktail ( major on the prawns , easy on the sauce ) or a whole roast turbot or Dover sole served with a light , lemony beurre blanc . This is also a wine to be savoured on its own when you ’ re raising a glass .
A truly delicious and unmissable festive treat is of course mulled wine . The Kent Cider Company ( www . kentcider . co . uk ), however , have come up with their own innovative twist on this Christmas classic . ‘ If you are having friends over for a light bite to eat or looking for something to sip during a cosy night in , our Mulled Cider is the delicious alternative to traditional mulled wine ,’ they advise . ‘ Add a shot of dark spiced rum or whiskey and you have a cider cocktail guaranteed to warm you to your very core .’
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