FOOD + DRINK
KENT : THE WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
A HISTORY & CELEBRATION
KENT ’ S VINEYARDS
LEGEND HAS IT THAT KENT BORE ITS ‘ GARDEN OF ENGLAND ’ TITLE WHEN HENRY VIII WAS HANDED A BOWL OF RIPE , RED FLANDERS CHERRIES AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER TASTING ORDERED BRITAIN ’ S FIRST CHERRY ORCHARD TO BE PLANTED UP IN TEYNHAM . DESPITE THIS TALE BEING A BEAUTIFULLY ROMANTIC ONE BEHIND THE COINING OF THE COUNTY ’ S TITLE , IT IS LIKELY THAT KENT ’ S IDENTITY AS SUCH WAS ESTABLISHED WELL BEFORE THE INFAMOUS KING ’ S REIGN . THE ART OF BREWING , DISTILLING AND WINEMAKING HAVE LONG RUN DEEP IN THE COUNTY ’ S VEINS FOR WELL OVER A THOUSAND YEARS AND TODAY , THE ROOTS OF THESE PRACTICES ARE FIRMLY GROUNDED IN KENT ’ S RICH AND FERTILE SOIL .
© Visit Kent
400 years after Henry VIII was handed his cherries , Kent ’ s Garden of England status has taken on a well-deserved prefix . The cream of the crop , Kent has risen above other English counties and seized the throne to now claim the title of Wine Garden of England . However , this is far from a new practice in Kent . When Julius Caesar landed upon the Kentish shores of Pegwell Bay to establish the Roman era , in his wake his people brought winemaking and grapes to this fair county , making it highly likely that Kent was the first in which a vineyard was planted .
Today , one of Kent ’ s most endearing and beautiful points of interest that continues to magnetise visitors in their hoards from across the globe , are the luscious vineyards that sprawl across the county ’ s sunny slopes . Soaking up the summer sunshine and warm climate that Kent is famous for , it is no surprise that these vines grow in abundance to nurture and nourish magnificent grapes that are taken through the ancient and perfected process of winemaking . Kent ’ s sunny south-facing slopes , fertile soil and warm climate has even attracted world renowned Taittinger to grow vines here , a solid testament to the quality of the county ’ s grapes . But with a newfound appreciation for local produce , artisan products and independent businesses , the wine market and food industry have seen a rapid rise in popularity and real appreciation for the boutique and independent vineyards and wineries of English wine country .
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