Jo
FOOD + DRINK
On The Grapevine
It ’ s hard to believe that at the end of this month we ’ ll be celebrating Easter and looking forward to warmer days . The vines are also looking forward to waking from their winter dormancy and we ’ ll be seeing the buds start to appear very soon . Once the leaves start to appear , the vineyards will transform into perfectly linear verdant landscapes ; an increasingly familiar sight in our beautiful county .
If you live near Canterbury you may have noticed vineyards in Barham . These belong to Ruth and Charles Simpson ( www . simpsonswine . com ), who came back to the UK after successfully running a vineyard in the Languedoc . They chose the chalky slopes of Barham because the soil is perfect for growing the grapes that make fine sparkling wines and the microclimate is also favourable . 20 years since their first planting , their wines win awards on a regular basis , and their reputation goes beyond the UK . Their sparkling wines are considered some of the best in the world and they even produce a chardonnay and pinot noir that could be mistaken for an eye-wateringly expensive Burgundy , just without the price tag . My particular favourite is their Canterbury Rose pink sparkler , made in the same way as a rosé Champagne and so delicious . You can visit their vineyard by prior appointment and taste their selection of wines in a hotel-chic tasting room overlooking the state-of-the-art winery . You may even get to leave via their helter skelter !
While you ’ re basking in the vineyards of the area , you should also call upon The Vineyard Garden Centre ( www . vineyardgardencentre . co . uk ) in Elham Valley , owned and run by the Fifth Trust . It is a project that gives adults with learning disabilities the opportunity to work the vineyard and the wine I ’ ve tried is a lively , fruity sparkler that I really enjoyed . It ’ s a great place to visit and their cafe is excellent .
As an English wine lover , I feel very much at home in Canterbury . I always take the train , with the Goods Shed ( www . thegoodsshed . co . uk ) at Canterbury West my first point of call . It ’ s a glorious indoor market full of local produce , local cheeses , charcuterie and English wine . You may meet our very own Master of Wine , Clive Barlow , who curates his favourite Kentish wines for the Goods Shed and his award-winning shop and wine bar in Burgate , just a few minutes ’ walk into the town centre . Look out for Corkk ( www . corkk . co . uk ), a cosy retreat that ’ s perfect for watching the world go by over a glass of Simpsons …
So , when I ’ m not gawping at strangers in Canterbury , I am busy organising our next event , the Summer Celebration on Saturday 8 June , where you can meet lots of Kent wine producers and taste their wines . This year , we will be at Chilham Castle , which is a private house and gardens hidden away in the beautiful village of the same name . It even has its own mainline train station , so you can enjoy the wines properly . Tickets are now on sale with details on the Wine Garden of England website . I ’ d love to see you there !
Jo
JO GINN , BRAND MANAGER WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
jo @ winegardenofengland . com @ winegardenofengland
GUSBOURNE TOASTS TO A NEW CHAPTER : MARY BRIDGES APPOINTED HEAD WINEMAKER
Gusbourne , the prominent Kent sparkling and fine wine producer , has announced the appointment of Mary Bridges as its new head winemaker . Mary , who has been an integral part of the winemaking team since 2018 , brings a wealth of experience and a passion for winemaking excellence .
Mary , promoted to oenologist in 2020 , worked closely with former head winemaker , Charlie Holland , honing her craft and contributing to Gusbourne ’ s exceptional vintages . In September , she assumed the prestigious position of head winemaker , overseeing the 2023 harvest , Gusbourne ’ s largest and most exciting to date .
“ I am very proud of this achievement – this is what I love to do , and I ’ ve worked extremely hard to get here ,” Mary remarked , while expressing her commitment to maintaining Gusbourne ’ s legacy and showcasing the unique terroir of Kent and Sussex vineyards .
Jonathan White , CEO at Gusbourne , welcomed Mary ’ s appointment , noting her talent , knowledge and infectious passion for oenology while acknowledging the vineyard ’ s excitement about Mary ’ s role in further establishing Gusbourne as England ’ s premier wine producer .
Mary ’ s leadership , coupled with the collaborative efforts of the close-knit team , signifies a new chapter of innovation and growth for Gusbourne , positioning it as a benchmark for the industry .
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