FOOD + DRINK
Kent ’ s Best Wine Lists cont ...
GRAB A GLASS AND POUR YOURSELF SOMETHING REFINED , REVERED AND REWARDED . KENTISH WINE JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER AND A RECENT GOLD MEDAL HAUL SEES THE COUNTY ’ S PRODUCE PLACED FIRMLY ON THE WORLDWIDE STAGE AT THE FOREFRONT OF MODERN WINEMAKING .
Once upon a time , English wines were seen as a bit of a gimmick ; often compared to vinegar they weren ’ t something to write home about . Times have changed , however , and now English wines are some of the most highly regarded in the world .
Viticulture is the UK ’ s fastest growing agricultural sector with the last five years witnessing a 70 % increase in total plantings and recording the production of 12.2 million bottles across sparkling and still varieties throughout 2022 . In the coming year , WineGB is predicting English wine production will almost double , reaching approximately 20 million bottles .
So where does Kent come into the equation ? Well , while there are 10,000 acres of vineyards across the country , Kent makes up a significant portion of those . As the largest wine producing county in England , with more than 50 vineyards creating world-class wines , Kent boasts more than 350 acres of vineyards - with more being planted all the time .
The region has become so well known for its viticulture that even the French want a piece of the action . Champagne Taittinger acquired Kent farmland in 2015 and began planting vines in 2017 at the Domaine Evremond vineyard in Chilham . Thanks to the chalk soil , climate and topography , Kent has become a sought-after destination for even the biggest Champagne producers in the world . But , this time they ’ re not making Champagne - they ’ re creating English sparkling wine .
Domaine Evremond will be releasing its first Classic Cuvée in spring 2025 and Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger , president of Champagne Taittinger , revealed that not only was the climate and soil the draw in planting vineyard in the UK , it was also the quality of the English wines coming out of Kent . “ We have been very impressed by the quality of English sparkling wine being produced ,” he said when he made history breaking ground at the Chilham site .
20 years ago it would be unheard of for the French to be singing the praises of an English wine , less actively choosing to inhabit land to create their own . A lot has changed over the past two decades it seems , and now we ’ re witnessing English wine becoming some of the most soughtafter and regarded in the world .
GOING FOR GOLD
The recent International Wine Challenge ( IWC ) results are testament to this . The IWC is the world ’ s most rigorous , impartial , influential and global wine competition . Every wine is assessed ‘ blind ’ and each is judged for its faithfulness to style , region and vintage .
This year saw England produce another impressive set of results in the challenge , winning a total of 125 medals , 13 of which were gold . Perhaps even more significant is that of those accolades , four of the winning producers are located right here in Kent . Gusbourne was the most highly awarded English winery in the competition , taking home a total of eight medals for its red , white and sparkling wines . The winemaker was also awarded the English Red Trophy for its Pinot Noir 2022 , the only still wine from England to win a gold medal .
If you ’ re looking to imbibe some awardwinning Kentish fare , then here ’ s what you need to know about the local wines that have been ranked some of the best in the world .
Gusbourne For those who are unaware , Gusbourne is located in Kenardington , just outside of Ashford , and its first vines were planted in 2004 . The vineyard has gone on to be one of the most highly decorated winemakers in England . At their Kent estate they grow chardonnay , pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes over 60 hectares of vineyards , and they also have 30 hectares next to the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex .
This year ’ s eight IWC wins ( four gold , three silver and a bronze ) are just a small number of the acclaim they ’ ve racked up over the years . They ’ ve also been named International Wine & Spirits Competition ’ s ( IWSC ) English Wine Producer of the Year three times , becoming the only English winemaker to do so .
GUSBOURNE ’ S GOLD AWARD WINNERS
Gusbourne Pinot Noir 2022 The only English still wine to be awarded an IWC medal - and a gold one at that - this red from Gusbourne has some pretty impressive credentials . English reds have typically been hard to make thanks to the cooler climate than say Argentina or Australia , but where others have failed ,
www . insidekent . co . uk • 87