Jo
FOOD + DRINK
On The Grapevine
Congratulations to everyone who successfully completed Dry January ; I must admit I only watched from the sidelines but in recent years I have followed the example of many and seeked to reduce the quantity and increase the quality of the wine I drink . The quality of wine produced here in Kent is very good , and there are a number of reasons for this .
Kent is officially the sunniest county in the UK , so the grapes ripen really well , but they maintain a fabulous acidity that produces balanced wines that can be aged . Our winemakers are highly skilled , thanks to the amazing Plumpton College nearby . Kent as a wine region is also attracting experienced winemakers from Europe and the New World because the UK has fewer restrictions , meaning their creativity can flow freely . Drinking less wine overall but upping the quality can certainly start right here .
One of my favourite vineyards is actually the UK ’ s largest wine producer , Chapel Down . It ’ s big enough to produce a varied range of wines but still has a family feel at their home in Tenterden . I am a keen observer of how the brand is working to promote English wine as a whole , too . Last year , the marketing team pulled a masterstroke by travelling to Reims , an area famous for Champagne production . There they offered blind tastings of their own sparkling wine alongside Champagne and 60 % of the locals preferred the English sparkling wine . The wine in question is their Brut non-vintage at around £ 30 a bottle . I ’ d certainly enjoy surprising a few ‘ wine buffs ’ with that trick .
If you ’ re looking for some entertainment during these dark wintry days , you could visit Chapel Down and try their wines for yourself . At the moment they are offering a Winter Wine Indulgence package , which includes a tutored tasting and a three-course lunch in their gorgeous Swan Restaurant . You can book through chapeldown . com .
Try some wine from Kent this month - I ’ d be interested to know how you get on . While you ’ re cosying up with a glass by the fire ,
I ’ ll be in the vineyards helping with pruning ; a massive job that ’ s always a race against time before the vines start to wake up . Happy tasting !
Jo
JO GINN , BRAND MANAGER WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
jo @ winegardenofengland . com @ winegardenofengland
SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR THE COUNTY ’ S TASTIEST FOOD AND DRINK
Celebrating the best of food and drink in Kent , the Taste of Kent Awards ( TOKA ) 2024 has officially opened for entries .
Now in its 19th year , TOKA celebrates the best food and drink of Kent , shining a spotlight on the region ’ s excellence in producing , selling and serving fine quality Kentish produce . Open to any food and drink business located in Kent and Medway , the awards , which are the longest running food and drink awards in the South East , allow businesses to selfnominate and they do not have to be members of Produced in Kent to enter .
Once the entries close , a rigorous judging process will follow , led by foodie celebrity Nigel Barden and his panel of expert industry judges including John Farrand , MD at The Guild of Fine Food , and English wine expert Clive Barlow MW . Finalists in the awards competition will be announced in May 2024 with the winners crowned at the TOKA Food & Drink Festival at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre on 13 June .
Produced in Kent CEO Floortje Hoette commented : “ We know that our bronze , silver and gold awards make a big difference to brand awareness , sales and footfall , which is just what our food and drink sector needs . We are so proud of the quality that comes out of Kent and Medway and we want to shout about it as loud as we can .”
Previous winner Simon Maynard , head butcher at Macknade , said : “ Winning an award has meant a lot to us as a butchery that is striving to not only produce great quality , but also carry a passion for local products with provenance and traceability . It has given our team a massive boost as well as gaining more customers . I would highly recommend others to enter the awards .”
Entries close on the 23 February 2024 .
92 • www . insidekent . co . uk