Jo
FOOD + DRINK
On The Grapevine
As you drive or take the train through Kent this month, the vineyards will still look a little bare. But, if you visit the estates for the monthly shop( is that just me?), a closer look at the vines will reassure you that they are well on track to producing the all important grapes we’ ll need for future awardwinning wines. The buds that appeared last month will have burst and green shoots will be well on their way. It’ s a nerve-wracking time for vineyard managers because a hard frost has the potential to kill those tender shoots and seriously affect the season’ s yield.
In our cool climate, frost protection is high on every vineyard’ s list and a lot of time and money is spent on getting it right. Some of our vineyards use the traditional European method of lighting candles( or‘ bougies’ as they’ re known) in the dead of night when the temperature drops. They need hundreds of flames throughout the vineyard to raise the air temperature enough to make a difference, but it is one of the most effective ways to combat frost. It’ s also quite a surreal spectacle. Google it!
April marks an exciting time for Wine Garden of England. We have launched our new Members’ Club and the response has been overwhelming. For the first time, vineyard enthusiasts can pay an annual subscription to receive member benefits that allow them to explore our vineyards for free and go to exclusive events especially designed for them. I’ ve been working with all nine vineyards to build a Members’ Club that feels like a family, with the freedom to explore the diversity of our estates throughout the year. I want to start with just a few members so that we can get the service level right- and all of those places have already been filled! There will be more memberships opening up at the Summer Celebration in June at Chilham Castle. If you missed out this month, it’ s worth trying to snap up a membership at the event.
For more details about the Summer Celebration and the Wine Garden of England Members’ Club, please go to winegardenofengland. co. uk.
SIMPLY ICE CREAM UNVEILS EXCLUSIVE MINI EGG ICE CREAM FOR EASTER
Simply Ice Cream, renowned for its artisan ice creams, is excited to announce the return of its exclusive Mini Egg Ice Cream just in time for Easter. The new flavour features crushed Mini Egg pieces swirled through their decadently creamy ice cream, an Easter treat that is only available while stocks last.
Priced at £ 6.50 per premium 500ml tub, the Mini Egg Ice Cream joins an impressive lineup of over 30 flavours, including unique options such as Brown Bread, Coffee & Kentish Cobnut Fudge, and Stem Ginger & Marmalade- which are all available on the Simply Ice Cream website and from selected stockists.
“ We’ re thrilled to bring back our Mini Egg Ice Cream for Easter, offering customers a delightful seasonal flavour that embodies the quality and care that has been the hallmark of Simply Ice Cream for the past 25 years,” said Sally Newall, founder and owner of Simply Ice Cream.“ We can’ t wait for everyone to indulge in this exclusive treat!”
I’ ll leave you with a couple of recommendations. Gusbourne is running a vertical tasting of their Late Disgorged wines on 26 April. This will be an amazing opportunity to taste some of their rarest wines alongside each other, paired with a delicious lunch. You can book through gusbourne. com. If you’ re looking for some inspiration for the weekend, why not pop along to Yotes Court for a tour and tasting? They have various packages to suit any time and budget, and the view from their terrace is outstanding.
I hope you have a wonderful time exploring Kent this month.
Cheers!
Jo
JO GINN, BRAND MANAGER WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
jo @ winegardenofengland. com winegardenofengland www. insidekent. co. uk • 117