CHEERS IN STYLE ...
KENTMAS
CHEERS IN STYLE ...
KENT ’ S TOP TIPPLES
FROM A CELEBRATORY CHRISTMAS EVE COCKTAIL TO WELCOMING IN 2024 WITH A “ CHEERS !” OF KENTISH FIZZ , LET THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND CARRY YOU ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FESTIVE PERIOD WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS TIPPLES THIS YEAR .
insideKENT ’ S FAVOURITE FIZZES FOR FESTIVE CHEERS !
Gusbourne Blanc De Blancs 2018 , £ 65 , www . gusbourne . com
Presented in a beautiful silver and black bottle , you can serve this showstopper with suave sophistication at whatever occasion . Although this would make a top-tier gift for someone special , we think this is best for a sophisticated New Year cheers to welcome in 2024 .
Warehorne Vineyard Oasthouse Sparkling Wine , £ 25.50 , www . warehornevineyard . co . uk
Kentish through and through from design to taste . We love this fizz for a Christmas Eve cheers . The Kentish oast house design of the bottle pays homage to the county and is a great talking point for both Kent natives and those who are visiting over the festive season .
Chapel Down English Sparkling Brut , £ 32 , www . chapeldown . com
A classic and completely dependable favourite fizz . Pop this one open on Christmas morning and drink through to lunch . On its own or in the form of a traditional Bucks Fizz , this will be delicious . A gorgeous bottle perfect for pictures , and with its gift box , perfect for presents too .
TOP TIPPLES FOR THE TABLE : WINES TO HAVE WITH FOOD
Chapel Down Rosé Reserve 2020 , £ 29.60 , www . chapeldown . com
Multi-awardwinning elegant rosé that sparkles with a crisp , fresh palate . Perfect for accompanying traditional fish dishes on Christmas Eve and starting off celebrations in style . When purchased with a gift box , it makes the perfect present for a rosé lover .
Biddenden Gamay Noir 2022 , £ 22.50 , www . biddendenvineyards . com
This light-bodied fruity red has tart flavours of cherries and raspberries . We recommend it to drink alongside your Christmas Day roast . Perfect for accompanying rich flavours . So good it achieved gold in the Independent English Wine Awards 2023 .
Balfour Leslie ’ s Reserve Red , £ 35 , www . balfourwinery . com
A delightful rarity ! A red English sparkling wine ! This wonderful wine is dominated by concentrated red fruits and earthy notes rounded off with a pleasing tannic grip . A great bottle to have put by for those traditional Boxing Day leftover curries . Think Bridget Jones ’ s mum ’ s ‘ turkey curry buffet ’, but with lots more style and far less mini gherkins !
PARTY PIECES : SEASONAL SPIRITS
Whitstable Harbour Gin , £ 39.50 , www . whitstableharbourgin . co . uk
Inspired by and infused with sea plants native to the ancient shoreline and salt marshes of Whitstable . Sea buckthorn delivers a fruitiness that gently complements the hint of citrus , subtly blended with the crisp saltiness of samphire and 10 carefully selected botanicals . Great with Whitstable oysters and perfect for dinner party G & Ts .
Anno Candlelight Pink Rhubarb Rum , £ 38.50 , www . annodistillers . co . uk
A KENTISH WINTER WARMER
Crafted in Marden , this ingenious Kentish rum is fresh and sweet with zesty ginger and a distinctive rhubarb flavour making it the perfect party pleaser . Super easy to make impressive cocktails with , the ginger adds sweet autumnal notes , complementing the festive flavour of spicy orange which adds extra depth and complexity .
Turner ’ s Apple Pie Cider , 12 x 500ml bottles £ 44 , www . turnerscider . co . uk
Gently spiced with cinnamon , nutmeg , ginger and cloves this really is like apple pie in a glass ! Winner of Best Cider at the Taste of Kent Awards and a Bronze Medal winner at the International Cider Challenge , this is perfect for warming up on the stove after a crisp winter walk !
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