FOOD + DRINK
Christmas morning …
Kent Treat: Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2019, £ 65, gusbourne. com
It’ s light, elegant and clean- the perfect accompaniment to smoked salmon and scrambled egg.
Alternative: Asda Asquith Gardens English Sparkling Wine £ 17, asda. com
This is also from Kent, but made by an undisclosed vineyard for Asda. It’ s rich and opulent- I’ d pair it with stollen. I have no idea how the price is so low!
Christmas dinner …
Kent Treat: Chapel Down Kits Coty Chardonnay 2023 £ 36, chapeldown. com
Grown on the chalky slopes near Bluebell Hill, this is an excellent chardonnay with a full enough body to match with the richness of the turkey, gravy and all the trimmings.
Alternative: M & S Chablis No. 9 £ 11, marksandspencer. com
Similar style to the Kent wine- same grape, same climate, more cost effective production, but still a delicious wine.
Christmas dinner …
Kent Treat: Simpsons Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir 2023, £ 32, simpsonswine. com
Light red fruits and mouthwatering acidity. A perfect cut through to your rich Christmas dinner. One of the best red wines we produce in the UK.
Alternative: Ernst Loosen Pinot Noir, £ 12.50, majestic. co. uk
Germany may not be known for pinot noir but it is one of their most widely planted grape varieties. This wine has slightly riper fruit and less acidity than the Kentish counterpart, but will pair really well with the food.
Dessert …
Kent Treat: Biddenden Ortega Demi Sec 2021 £ 27.50, biddendenvineyards. com
This Kent wine and the‘ additional’ Spanish sherry are so different that they can’ t be considered alternatives. I strongly advise you buy both. The Kent wine is a delightfully light, sparkling white wine that is sweet enough for dessert and keeps you reaching for more.
Additional: Gonzales Byass Nectar PX Sherry £ 19.95, thewhiskyexchange. com
Pedro Ximenez sherry is the sweetest drink you will ever taste- like liquid Christmas pudding. A small glass is usually enough, so the bottle might last into the new year!
Boxing Day leftovers …
Kent Treat: Yotes Court‘ On The Nod’ Bacchus 2022, £ 17.50, yotescourt. co. uk
If you like sauvignon blanc, you’ ll want to try Bacchus. It’ s refreshing, with plenty of elderflower, gooseberry and grapefruit. A wonderful accompaniment to those leftovers. Don’ t drink it with the trifle!
Alternative: The Ned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, £ 9, majestic. co. uk
An excellent example of a New Zealand sauvignon- also awful with trifle.
New Year’ s Eve …
Kent Treat: Domaine Evremond Edition 1 £ 55, domaineevremond. com
Champagne house Taittinger’ s very own English sparkling wine grown in Kent. It’ s all citrus fruit, toast and celebratory bubbles.
Alternative: Crémant de Bourgogne Caves de Lugny, £ 12.50, majestic. co. uk
Champagne in all but name. Same grape, same climate, same method of production.
www. insidekent. co. uk • 121