Jo
FOOD + DRINK
BRITAIN ’ S OLDEST BREWER ACHIEVES DOUBLE GOLD AT THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD AWARDS
On The Grapevine
A ll is quiet in the vineyards this month . The vines have lost their leaves and the cooler temperatures have allowed them to move into dormancy , so that they can replenish stocks for next season . In the wineries , it is a very exciting time . The fruit was brought in a few weeks ago and immediately pressed to release the juice to be fermented . In most cases , the fermentation takes place in huge stainless steel , temperature-controlled tanks and the winemaking teams are constantly monitoring this process to ensure that the final wine is the style and quality that they are known for .
If you go on a vineyard tour and tasting , you will learn about this process which will open your eyes to what ’ s in your glass . It sometimes goes further than that and inspires people to join our burgeoning wine industry . There are courses to suit all levels of interest and ambition at Plumpton ( www . plumpton . ac . uk ) or the Kent Wine School ( www . localwineschool . com ). I ’ m studying for my diploma at the moment and I absolutely love it ( most of the time !).
Most vineyard estates still welcome visitors over the winter , but it ’ s best to check their websites before making the journey . There ’ s often a chance to wander through the sleeping vines , but in most cases you ’ ll be focusing on the wine tasting and pairing them with delicious local produce , so that ’ s what I ’ ll concentrate on this month .
Biddenden ( www . biddendenvineyards . com ) is one of my favourite places to visit at Christmas . It is the oldest vineyard in Kent and has always worked closely with local producers to offer a wonderful choice of food and drink in their vineyard shop , so it ’ s a great place to find Christmas gifts , especially if you enjoy building hampers for friends and family .
Have you planned your wines for Christmas Day yet ? It would be easy to make it a fully Kent-based menu , if you take my advice . For a special treat , you could replace your usual Buck ’ s Fizz with a glass of Gusbourne ’ s Blanc de Noirs . It ’ s rich and opulent , and zinging with fresh acidity to set you up for a day of lego building and gravy making . Sparkling elderflower cordial would be a perfect alcohol-free alternative .
At dinner , a light red will pair beautifully with most choices as it can hold its own with all the wonderful flavours on your plate . In Kent , pinot noir ripens to perfection and many of our vineyards produce excellent examples . I would choose Simpsons Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir to accompany the turkey - it ’ s bursting with red cherries and cranberries , with silky smooth tannins and a finish of Christmas spice .
A lighter finish to the meal would be Biddenden ’ s Sparkling Ortega Demi-Sec . This is a refreshing , medium-sweet sparkling wine that sits very happily next to trifle , Christmas pudding and also cheese .
On behalf of all the Kent vineyards , we wish you a Happy Christmas and can ’ t wait to welcome you to our estates next year !
Jo
JO GINN , BRAND MANAGER WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
jo @ winegardenofengland . com @ winegardenofengland
Two of Faversham-based brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame ’ s brands have been recognised with gold medals at the Great British Food Awards . With a judging panel of acclaimed chefs , food critics and influencers from across the country , both Double Stout ( 5.2 %) and Whitstable Bay Blonde Lager ( 4.5 %) received accolades in the awards .
Shepherd Neame ’ s director of brewing , Mike Unsworth , said : “ We are thrilled that two of our brands have received national acclaim at the Great British Food Awards . We have a fantastic team of brewers at Shepherd Neame and this is well-deserved recognition for their passion , knowledge and skill .”
Launched in 2014 to give a promotional platform to its passionate brands and makers , winners of the Great British Food Awards can be confident that their winning artisanal items are among the very best the country has to offer . Shepherd Neame ’ s award-winning beers are available both online and from its Faversham brewery shop .
148 • www . insidekent . co . uk