For hundreds of years the county of Kent has been known as the Garden of England, originally because it supplied nearby London with much of its produce, but should we be thinking of changing that title in light of recent evidence? Last year the Chapel Down vineyard supplied their award winning Rose Brut sparkling wine to HM the Queen for Prince William’s & Catherine’s wedding festivities and now another vineyard’s sparkling wine has achieved success, not with the Monarchy this time but with Parliament.
The Kentish sparkling wine Herbert Hall Traditional Method Brut 2009 has been selected to represent the ‘Best of British’ wines in the House of Commons in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics.
Herbert Hall is a pocket sized four-hectare gravel & clay vineyard in Marden & is regarded amongst those who know as one of the most exciting new vineyards in England. The wine style has been described by one writer as a “wistful & romantic creation”, whilst another reports it as ”a scented apple orchard in a glass” . Rather charmingly the wine production has been described by its owner as “‘garagiste”. It is from such small acorns as this that majestic oak trees grow, or am I mixing just too many metaphors?
Blue Badge tourist guide
As part of the annual month long Brighton Food Festival why not join the Bubbly Fest to sample a host of award-winning wines from Sussex including Ridgeview (the wine of choice at The Queen’s state dinner for President Obama), Black Boys, Bolney Estate, Breaky Bottom, and Balfour Rosé alonside fine sparkling wines from the Champagne region including Moet, Laurent Perrier, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Lanson, Boutinot.
– fish straight off the boat that morning, shellfish, lovely looking veg, local meat – mainly lamb funnily enough – flowers, plus the more usual cheeses, olives, etc. AND chicken pullets and goslings.
Amanda Hutchinson Blue Badge Guide
Dawn Blee Blue Badge Tour Guide
