English Wine in a Nutshell.

This week I have been lucky enough to try some delicious English wines. 

We often hear that English wines are beating Champagne in blind taste tests - but are they really that good?

In a word - yes. Due to global warming (insert debate here) vineyards are popping up over England and Wales and producing some wonderful wines.

Some bloody awful ones too.



Weather getting better?

English wine or British wine? 

Don't be fooled - British wine is really nothing like it sounds.  British wine is either concentrate or must (juice) from pretty much anywhere in the world that has been imported. So avoid this. English, or Welsh, and maybe sometime soon, Scottish wine - is as you'd expect, with grapes grown from said place.

A combination of well selected grapes (that have a stiff upper lip and can deal with our cool climate), well placed vineyards and a bunch of skilled winemakers, means we are producing some really delicious wines that are ever-improving. Vineyards are popping up all over the place, and if wines are anything like these, then we're all in for a treat.

Danebury Reserve, (£12) is utterly scrumptious. From Hampshire, this beautifully wine is aromatic, fruity and well balanced with minerality. It's won a squillion awards, all well deserved. Yum.

English Oak Engelmann Cuvee 2010 (£26.99) is just divine.  At this price it won't be on your weekly shop, but for an occasion (i.e. Valentine's) you should do it.  It's won awards too. It's a lovely warm gold, with fresh fruits and biscuityness on the nose, with green apples and gooseberry on the palate. Drink at any time with any food!

 Denbies Chalk Ridge Rosé 2011 (£11.99). Strawberries, pears and pepper. Elegant and lush. If someone bought me this on Valentine's Day I'd be a happy bunny. 

Chin chin x