FOOD + DRINK
THE BEST OF KENT ’ S CHRISTMAS TIPPLES CONT .
Want to go one step further when it comes to embracing the best of Kent ’ s tipples this Christmas ? Why not take a tour of one of the county ’ s vineyards , distilleries or breweries . These are an excellent way to sample what ’ s on offer before you make up your mind on purchases and will also give you the perfect opportunity to taste as much as you can so you are sure to find some new favourites . A tour also makes a great Christmas present to give to a loved one , so if you ’ d rather bathe in all the glory of Kent ’ s vineyards in the height of the summer - that ’ s a possibility too !
So , without further ado , cheers to a Kentish Christmas ! Here ’ s insideKENT ’ s guide to our favourite Kentish tipples and the best places to drink them .
FIVE KENTISH WINES AND FESTIVE FIZZ FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TABLE
Biddenden ’ s Gribble Bridge White 2021 , £ 14.10 , www . biddendenvineyards . com
A lovely nose of soft apple blossom and gentle apricot lead to a palate that is just dry but deliciously fresh and easy to get along with . The apricot follows on from the nose and is combined with rounded citrus fruits – mainly subtle orange and lemon . Produced with a blend of Ortega and Reichensteiner , this wine is just great on its own at Christmas parties and will also work very well with white fish dishes or a classic prawn cocktail starter .
Balfour Leslie ’ s Reserve Red NV , £ 35 , www . balfourwinery . com
This traditional method sparkling red is a real treat for the more adventurous wine lover . It is predominantly produced from pinot noir and expresses clean varietal fruit characters with delightful aromas of strawberries , raspberries and cherries . This is perfect for pairing with oriental flavours , so a great bottle to have by for those traditional Boxing Day curries and any Asian-inspired takeaways that we might be ordering in when we ’ re too tired to cook ourselves !
Simpsons Railway Hill Rosé , £ 19.50 , www . simpsonswine . com
This beautiful Provencal-style English rosé is created from 100 % estate-grown pinot noir on Simpsons Wine Estate in the Elham Valley . Its delicate aromas and attractive colour makes it a beautifully refreshing drink to enjoy with desserts after your Christmas roast . The Vinolok stopper adds a chic yet sustainable finishing touch to this exquisite English wine making it a perfect bottle to bring along to a party too .
Terlingham Vineyard 2018 Caesar ' s Camp , £ 23.50 , www . terlinghamvineyard . co . uk
Terlingham Vineyard in Folkestone are only able to make this wonderful still red about once every five years when Kent gets an early spring and a long hot summer . It ’ s certainly worth waiting for ! This Rondo and Dornfelder blend has a deep garnet colour and a lovely lightness in the mouth at only 10 % alcohol .
On the nose , there are dense bramble fruits . On the palate , you ’ ll get flavours of blackcurrant , gentle clove spice , liquorice and ink . This elegant wine loves to breathe – we recommend decanting 15-20 minutes before drinking . This is the ideal tipple to have with any roast meat or veggie feast this Christmas . It also works superbly with a Kentish cheeseboard .
Meopham ’ s Premiere Brut 2019 , £ 29.50 , www . meophams . co . uk
The ultimate Kentish celebration tipple . Meopham ’ s Premiere Brut is a classic blend of chardonnay and pinot noir that exemplifies English finesse and balance . Pale gold with a delicate mousse , this traditional method brut has alluring aromas of crisp red apples , zesty citrus and gentle floral notes . A vibrant , pristine palate boasts citrus fruits with savoury notes of brioche and baked apple followed by a smooth elegant finish making this the perfect Champagne flute drink to toast Christmas morning or welcome in the new year .
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