insideKENT Magazine Issue 84 - March 2019 | Page 59

FOOD+DRINK
a toast TO KENT
NOT CONTENT WITH SIMPLY BEING THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND, KENT HAS UPPED
ITS GAME WITH A HOST OF INDEPENDENT LOCAL PRODUCERS WHO ARE TAKING
THE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS SECTOR BY STORM. HERE IS insideKENT’S TOAST TO
SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE KENT TIPPLES AND THE PRODUCERS BEHIND THEM.
Anno Distillers
The brainchild of two scientists, Dr Andy Reason
and Dr Nor man Lewis, Anno Distiller s, Kent’s
first gin distiller y in 200 y ears, was f ounded in
2011 in the quiet, picturesque village of Marden.
Utilising both their established scientific knowledge
and the unique Kentish produce on their doorstep,
Anno began their spirit-making journey with the
aim of producing intense f lavours, subtle notes
and true quality products.
Research and development of their Anno Kent
Dry Gin took a painstaking 18 months before the
multi-award winning formula was achieved, whilst
their gleaming 300-litre copper still is still named
Patience due to the ar duous wait it took to get
their spirit licences. Fast forward eight years and
a Gold Award at the San Francisco World Spirit
Awards, and Anno – w ho still make all of their
delicious spirits in Patience – now boast an extensive
selection of award-winning gins including their
flagship Anno Kent Dry Gin, this season’s popular
Anno Sloe Gin, the overproof Anno,60-2.Gin, as
well as the fresh and smooth Anno Elderflower +
Vodka.
www.annodistillers.co.uk
Biddenden Vineyards
Biddenden Vineyards, Kent’s original commercial vineyard, is a true multi-
generational family affair, currently managed by Julian Barnes and his son,
Tom. The 23-acre secluded estate, located just outside of the picturesque
Wealden village of Biddenden, was originally home to the Barnes’ 40-acre
apple orchard. Faced with the declining price of apples in the late 60s and
inspired by a BBC Woman’s Hour programme about English Vineyards,
Mrs Barnes turned to viticulture; and in 1969, 1/3 of an acre of vines were
planted, and Biddenden Vineyards was born. Since the first Biddenden wine
was bottled ar ound 1972-3, pr oduction – with all vine w ork, including
pruning, canopy management and picking still done b y hand – has no w
grown to produce some 80,000 bottles a year!
Today Biddenden Vineyards produce an ar ray of award-winning white,
rosé, red and sparking English wines, all of which demonstrate their grape-
to-glass philosophy having been produced with one of the 11 varieties of
grapes grown on the estate (including their signature Ortega). They’re also
still harnessing their apple roots with a wine-like, truly Kentish cider perfected
over 40 years from a family recipe, along with a range of much-loved, farm-
pressed apple and pear juices.
www.biddendenvineyards.com
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