insideKENT Magazine Issue 116 - December 2021 | Page 112

FOOD + DRINK
A PERFECT MATCH ! CONT .
Kent ’ s first micro-distillery , Anno Distillery ( www . annodistillers . co . uk ) based in Marden was founded by local scientists Dr Andy Reason and Dr Norman Lewis , who told us that Anno Cranberry & Gin tastes like Christmas in a cup . They recommend you ‘ warm some apple juice with cinnamon , nutmeg , orange slices and a sprinkle of cranberries . Transfer to a mug or thick glass and add a generous measure of Anno Cranberry & Gin , serve with a mince pie and find somewhere cosy to enjoy .’
To accompany your Christmas cheeseboard
With over 200 cheeses on offer at Macknade ( www . macknade . com ) including everything from awardwinning local cheeses to unusual varieties from Europe and afar , your 2021 cheeseboard of dreams must be complemented with the very best tipples to bring out those unique flavours .
Kent craft beer company , Westerham ’ s Godswallop Winter Ale ( www . westerhambrewery . co . uk / godswallop ) is ideal for those who enjoy a festive pint alongside their cheeseboard . A rich , malty deep red ale marvellous for enjoying by a roaring fire , this beer is delicious with toast and paté or a cheddar-style cheese such as Winterdale Shaw ( www . winterdale . co . uk ) from Sevenoaks .
Canterbury Cider ’ s The Duke is a lightly sparkling dry cider with deep tannin flavour that adds body to its taste . Founders , the Maylam family say it is the ‘ seamless end to a meal and best enjoyed with Kentish cheese and biscuits , such as the Zingiberi Bakery ’ s Captain ’ s Crackers ( www . thezingiberibakery . co . uk )
Managing director at Woolton Farm , Sam Mount , is also a lover of a Kentish Christmas cheeseboard , recommending his Kentish Pip Skylark Cider ( www . kentishpip . co . uk / collections / skylark ) alongside a Kingcott Dairy ( www . kingcottdairy . co . uk ) blue cheese .
A boutique vineyard based in Hawkinge , Terlingham ( www . terlinghamvineyard . co . uk ) wanted to bring the joy of their vineyard to people in a different way , in turn crafting their own gin using their award-winning Bacchus wine as the magic ingredient combined with locally sourced , sustainable botanicals . Terlingham owner , Jackie Wilks , said the Bacchus ‘ gives the gin a delicate sweetness , with notes of gooseberry and elderflower . Garnish with fresh lime and orange peel and add a touch of Kent honey . As each year ' s vintage of wine has slightly different flavours , the flavours of the gin will change with time as well , making each year completely unique . We would recommend pairing this gin in a classic G & T with decadent Christmas cheeses such as Camembert , manchego , Stilton , or Comté . These cheeses have a creamy texture and a wonderful earthy tone that is a perfect counterpoint to the fresh flavours of the elderflower , and natural sweetness of the Bacchus and the honey in the gin .’
Christmas Eve and seafood dishes
Owner at Barnsole Vineyard ( www . barnsole . co . uk ) near Canterbury , Phillip Watts told us that his Christmas pairing would be lobster with Barnsole ’ s 2014 Classic Reserve Sparkling . Made from 60 % chardonnay and 40 % pinot noir , this dry , lean and crisp sparkling is aged for six years with the yeast in bottle , delivering a bready nose and zippy acidity with a lingering lemon finish . When eating a spicier Christmas dish , Phillip recommends Barnsole ' s
Kent Classic to cool off the palate . Made from a heritage variety called Huxelrebe , this wine is off dry and packed full of tropical notes , such as mango and guava .
Woolton Farm ’ s Sam Mount also gave us advice on some Christmas Eve favourites , recommending Woolton Bacchus 2018 with grilled Dover sole . For those more in favour of a cider , Sam recommends Kentish Pip ’ s High Diver ( www . kentishpip . co . uk / collections / high-diver ) with Whitstable oysters . If you are serving canapés over Christmas , Sam also recommends the Woolton Cuvee No1 2015 ( www . wooltonfarm . co . uk ) which he says is ‘ sure to complement the flavours of potted Sandwich Bay shrimps ’.
A sparkling Christmas Day breakfast
With some of the oldest vines in Kent , Biddenden Vineyard ( www . biddendenvineyards . com ) suggest that the perfect way to start Christmas Day with some sparkle would be with their Gribble Bridge Sparkling Ortega Demi-Sec 2019 . Floral to the nose , aromatic with sweet green undertones and made using traditional methods with specifically selected Ortega grapes , which are known for their low acidity and high sugar levels , Biddenden have now created both a sparkling and still sweet wine using this variety . If you have any left over from breakfast , Gribble Bridge is also a phenomenal partner for Christmas pudding .
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