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BIDDENDEN VINEYARDS UNVEILS HISTORIC MEAD COLLABORATION
WHITSTABUBBLES BRINGS ENGLISH SPARKLING WINE TO WHITSTABLE
Whitstabubbles is a new independent wine business bringing English sparkling wine to Whitstable, with a name inspired by the town’ s famous oysters.
Owner Helen came up with the idea after spotting a poster that read‘ hot girls eat oysters and drink bubbles’. With Whitstable known for its oysters, the name Whitstabubbles immediately sprang to mind- and it stuck.
The newly launched brut sparkling wine is made using the traditional method in Canterbury, with most of the grapes also grown in and around the city.
With delicate bubbles, fresh citrus notes and a crisp finish, it makes a lovely aperitif and pairs perfectly with seafood.
BALFOUR WINERY LAUNCHES NEW SIGNATURE CHARDONNAY
Balfour Winery has introduced its latest signature expression: a distinctive English chardonnay crafted to showcase the character of Kent and the Hush Heath Estate, with a specific focus on the vineyard site.
As a new business, Whitstabubbles is focused on introducing more people to the quality of English sparkling wine while supporting local businesses and events.
Helen will be based at Hut 26 at Whitstable Harbour Market on selected weekends throughout November and December, giving visitors the chance to discover the wine in person.
English chardonnay so compelling. The combination of Burgundian clones, full malolactic fermentation and gentle oak ageing creates a wine with real texture and composure, but always with brightness at its core.”
Biddenden Vineyards has announced an exclusive collaboration with the British Museum, producing a limited-edition mead celebrating the extraordinary story, craftsmanship and cultural legacy of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Created to coincide with the British Museum’ s exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry, the special mead brings together two distinctive strands of British heritage: the tradition of English winemaking and the ancient craft of meadmaking, inspired by a work of art that has captivated audiences for almost a thousand years.
Made in Kent by Biddenden Vineyards, the limited-edition mead has been developed as a contemporary celebration of the flavours and traditions associated with medieval England. Presented in a wine-style bottle with a label inspired by the visual language of the Bayeux Tapestry, it offers visitors and collectors a distinctive keepsake from the exhibition, as well as an unusual gift connected to one of the most significant stories in British history.
“ The Bayeux Tapestry is an extraordinary record of storytelling, craftsmanship and history,” said Tom Barnes, general manager at Biddenden Vineyards.“ We are delighted to have worked with the British Museum to create a product that connects this remarkable history with our own family vineyard history and Kent’ s long tradition of growing, making and celebrating English produce.”
The Signature Collection currently includes a Signature Pinot Noir and, for the first time this year, a Signature Chardonnay from the 2023 vintage. Both wines are created to express the best wines from individual vineyards, with these first releases coming from Balfour’ s top sites in Kent. As the range evolves and grows, the intention is to look beyond‘ home’ to explore the best of what lies further afield.
From the Middle Stracknew Wood vineyard, this new wine brings together four Burgundian clones to create a style that feels layered, refined and unmistakably English.
“ Our Signature Chardonnay is about precision and patience,” said director of wine, Fergus Ellias.“ We wanted to capture the character of our warmest chardonnay site while preserving the freshness and tension that makes www. insidekent. co. uk • 143