insideKENT Magazine Issue 47 - February 2016 | Page 66

FOOD+DRINK Pop open the bubbly cont. Biddenden Vineyards The Mount Vineyard // Shoreham // www.themountvineyard.co.uk // Biddenden // www.biddendenvineyards.com The Mount Vineyard is situated in the idyllic village of Shoreham and produces award-winning still and sparkling wines, including their special rosé. This sparkling rosé has an elegant pink colour that is just bursting with the aromas of fresh strawberries. Made from Seyval, Phoenix and Pinot Noir grapes, the crisp, refreshing acidity supports the intense ripe summer fruits. It won the silver medal in the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2014. Biddenden Vineyard is Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard, having been established by the Barnes family in 1969 to produce wines and ciders. The vineyards are set in 23 acres on a gentle south-facing slope in a shallow sheltered valley, 1.2 miles from the lovely Wealden village of Biddenden. Eleven varieties of grapes are grown to produce white, red, rosé and quality sparkling wines. Traditional Kentish ciders have also been made here for over 30 years together with farm pressed apple and pear juices. Herbert Hall // Marden // www.herberthall.com Terlingham Vineyard // Folkestone // www.terlinghamvineyard.co.uk Since its founding in 2007, the ‘under-the-radar’ boutique Herbert Hall Winery in Marden has quietly built a reputation as one the UK’s foremost sparkling wine producers. Herbert Hall has gained a loyal following at the highest level with listings including the famous Ivy restaurant, Fortnum & Mason, Annabel’s Night Club in Mayfair, Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Their handmade wines were recently chosen by The Sunday Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Field as among the very best in the world. The winery even makes a limited edition blend for HRH The Prince of Wales under his Highgrove label. Terlingham Vineyard is nestled just above Folkestone on the Downs, with fabulous views over the English Channel to France. This is a boutique vineyard with 5,500 vines including Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chardonnay, Bacchus, Dornfelder and Rondo. In 2014, Terlingham joined forces with winemaker Kobus Louw, and is working towards making the vineyard totally organic. Terlingham produces 80% sparkling wine – rose and white. They also make a delectable Bacchus white wine and an exciting red wine using their Rondo and Doornfelder grapes. Each of the wines has their own unique character. Woodchurch Wine // Woodchurch // www.woodchurchwine.co.uk Hush Heath // Staplehurst // www.hushheath.com At Hush Heath Estate, it is believed that the finest wines can only be produced from the finest fruit. Winemaking, therefore, starts in the vineyards. Nestled among the rolling hills within the Garden of England, the vineyards enjoy quiet serenity and a favourable microclimate supporting optimal ripening conditions for their prized grapes. Only fruit grown within Hush Heath Estate is used to create the wines and ciders made there. Gusbourne // Appledore // www.gusbourne.com Donna and Graham Barbour established their vineyard at Woodchurch in the heart of Kent in 2010. After five years of hard work, they released two award-winning wines from their first harvest in 2012. With their first production run already almost sold out, the couple have just released their first sparkling rosé wine. The wine has a beautiful bright salmon pink colour with wild strawberries on the nose and raspberries, loganberries and crisp red apples on the palate. With just 1,000 bottles available this is a perfect match for a romantic Valentine celebration. The original Gusbourne Estate in Appledore dates back to 1410. In 2004, Andrew Weeber took over the estate with a clear vision and a single goal: to create English sparkling wines that would stand up alongside the very finest offerings from across the globe. The first vines were planted that year. In 2010 the debut vintages of Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2006 and Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2006 were released to critical acclaim. Gusbourne quickly earned a reputation as a producer of outstanding quality wines, with accolades from some of the industry's most exacting critics. 66