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12 of the Best Wines for English Wine Week 2024

the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

Image credit: Will Wong

Mention English wine and you may get three types of responses. Preaching to the converted, still an overall minority; or those who remember trying a few sparklers, usually from the big and established producers. The rest didn’t even know wines are made in England, or believe they are generally overpriced and not very good. Does that resonate with your experience?

In fact, there are now almost a thousand vineyards scattered across England alone, including over 200 commercial wineries. The paradox of climate change and global warming has benefited English vineyards in general. In 2022, total production was up by 36% year-on-year. 2023 saw a bumper harvest in which the UK experienced higher-than-ever yields and bunch numbers due to the volume of rain throughout the growing season. So, the only way is up, right?

What is the English Wine Week?

What is the English Wine Week? the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

Image credit: Will Wong

The first English Wine Week (EWW) was launched in 2006 when Laura Rhys MS was a sommelier struggling to convince consumers of the merits of English sparkling. Now, Rhys, a brand ambassador for Gusbourne Estate, can legitimately pitch the Fifty-One Degrees North, Gusbourne’s prestige cuvée (and the most expensive English wine on the UK market at £195), against the likes of Dom Perignon. In just under three decades, the English wine scene has progressed by leaps and bounds. 

In 2024, EWW officially runs from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd June. Producers and vineyards across the land, including the four urban wineries in London are throwing parties and special popup events. It is the perfect opportunity to spend your holidays and weekends with a stay or trip to your local vineyard, celebrating at a wine festival, and then taking home a couple of bottles to share your experience with friends. The WineGB website has a dedicated page on how to get the most out of EWW 2024.

To mark this special occasion, this bumper edition takes you on a tasting tour with twelve very different wines from Suffolk to the Crouch Valley in Essex (one of the most sought after vine-growing spots), then through Kent and Sussex to Dorset and finally weather-permitting tropical Cornwall. You might see a few familiar and favourite labels, and be surprised by others. Above all, we wish to champion some lesser known but worthy contenders on the ever expanding English wine stage; not just at home but extending far and wide to the United States, Scandinavia and Japan.

The Best English White Wines

In volume terms, still wines account for around a third in total production compared with sparkling. The marginal climate and erratic weather patterns in Britain do not ensure consistent ripening conditions for grapes; at least before the 1980s. Vine-growers back then experimented with German varietals such as the white Müller-Thurgau and Reichensteiner, which had a higher chance of early ripening in cooler climates. It is also much more challenging to make decent still wines with unripe grapes and their overt acidity.

Wine writer Henry Jeffreys recalled the trailblazer Gillian Pearkes with her 1981 book ‘Vinegrowing in Britain’: while everyone else was looking to Germany for inspiration, she saw that France and specifically Champagne and Chablis could be a model for viticulture in England. As well writing on the subject, Pearkes planted her own vineyard at Yearlstone in Devon, acted as mentor to Bob Lindo at Camel Valley in Cornwall and encouraged Stuart and Sandy Moss at Nyetimber: “Find the right site and you will grow Chardonnay in England,” 

Four decades on, Chardonnay and Bacchus (covered in our previous guides) are now the most planted white grapes in England. Although they are yet to gain comparable international standings as the sparklers, quality has improved beyond imagination as producers experiment with sites and signature styles. Below are two outstanding Chardonnay and two Pinot Gris (related to Pinot Grigio) with very different characters.

Simpsons Estate Chardonnay 2022, Kent

Simpsons Estate Chardonnay 2022, Kent the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

Image credit: Will Wong

‘The only question that matters is who’s going to buy your wine’

~ Charles Simpson

Charles and Ruth Simpson started their wine business as Domaine Saint Rose in Languedoc, southern France in 2002. By 2012, they saw the potential and moved back to England. After buying a 12 hectares / 30-acre site with lime-rich chalk soil in the North Downs in Kent, similar to the terroir in Champagne and Burgundy, Simpsons’ Wine Estate was born. Followed by their own winery in 2016, they now own three vineyard sites covering 38 hectares / 112 acres. 

Whilst most new vineyard owners opted for the sparkling clones (safer for Britain’s cool climate but needs a much longer time span before any wines are ready to be released), Ruth Simpson hatched a bet with planting some non-sparkling clones; hoping to sell still wines before their first sparkling is ready for the market. The high-quality and bumper 2018 vintage firmly established the Simpsons brand. 

This unoaked Chardonnay seems to have two personalities. Those who love the classic lush tropical fruits on its nose will be drawn instantly. Or if you are ‘anything but Chardonnay’, the greatest surprise came when paired with smoked haddock risotto. It turned flinty with a long finish like a Chablis. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £12.74 (25% off £16.99 till 02/07/2024)

The Only Way is Essex

Tell your wine snob friends about ‘Grapes from Essex’ and raise a few eyebrows. Crouch Valley to be precise, where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir flourish and ripen beautifully to turn into premium still wines. No, this is not a joke about Essex. It is no secret to most in the wine trade that many of the UK’s best-known wine producers, from the southernmost vineyards of the country and all the way up north, are buying fruit from Essex and have done so for many years. Instead of the chalky soil at Simpsons in Kent, the River Crouch occupies a shallow valley between two ridges of London clay, and it is the combination of this deep and very particular London clay, the steep south-facing vineyards and the protected microclimate of this partially enclosed, tidal estuary that come together in creating this sweet spot as Tamlyn Currin observes.

From Brick Lane to River Crouch

Riverview Crouch Valley is the heart and soul of young husband and wife team Umut and Katie Yesil, who left their flat off Brick Lane in East London for rural Essex. Working with the highly respected viticulturist Duncan McNeill, the family converted 4 hectares / 11 acres of their arable land facing the River Crouch into a vineyard back in 2017. They make only single varietals: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as premium still wines; with Pinot Meunier in sparkling wines. 

After harvest, the grapes are transported to Devon-based Lyme Bay Winery who has been sourcing grapes from Essex, where winemakers James Lambert and Sarah Massey produce the wine for Riverview Crouch Valley. Their debut 2020 Chardonnay received critical acclaim from critics and buyers alike. At the end of 2023, Umut and Katie released their first 2021 Pinot Noir, along with their 2021 Chardonnay. In 2024 they will be launching their first sparkling wine, a 100% Pinot Meunier from 2021.

Riverview Crouch Valley Chardonnay 2021, Essex

Riverview Crouch Valley Chardonnay 2021, Essex the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

Image credit: Will Wong

With its classic and simple label showing off the now famous River Crouch, this is one of England’s finest. There is not yet any typical English Chardonnay style. It does not try to be Burgundian or Australian / Californian. Despite its pale lemon appearance in the glass, the nose is lush with restrained tropical fruits. Nothing shouty here. Hints of vanilla comes through the brief oak ageing in old French barriques. The palate has subdued stone fruit with a little smokiness which is unusual for a Chardonnay. Whichever camp of ABC you belong to, this is a serious gastro wine that calls for your attention. A match made in heaven with roast chicken as Katie suggested, or even roast pork. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £36.00

Sandridge Barton Little Bee Pinot Gris ‘Wild Ferment’ Free Run 2022, Devon

Sandridge Barton Little Bee Pinot Gris ‘Wild Ferment’ Free Run 2022, Devon the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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Back in the 1960s, Maurice and Ruth Ash moved with their Jersey cows from Essex on the train to the Sharpham Estate over-looking the River Dart in South Devon. Over time, they planted some trial vines on the sunny south-facing slope in front of Sharpham House. Successes were steady with the next generation of vine-growers and winemakers in the Ash's nephew, Mark Sharman and Duncan Schwab, head winemaker and now CEO, who joined the team in 1992.

Then in 2008, Sharpham were approached by the owner of Sandridge Barton Estate on the eastern riverbank for help with planting vines on the basis that Sharpham might take the grapes. The terroir and its proximity was godsend to expand Sharpham’s acreage by 120%. And finally in 2020, Sharpham built its own solar-powered, with rain and waste-water harvesting 120,000 bottle capacity two-level winery adjacent to where the majority of the fruit is sourced. That culminated in the decision to relocate and rebrand as Sandridge Barton, with a fully-fledged visitor centre and cafe since 2022. 

Only 3300 bottles were released. Unfined, unfiltered with minimal sulphur, this experimental orange wine had two-week skin contact with indigenous yeast during fermentation. It is a little like the natural wines made with amphora from Georgia. Taut acidity with firm tannins. Due to the lees in the bottle, expect cloudiness so best stand the bottle upright for at least an hour before opening. Decant and serve at room temperature with Carpaccio. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 10.5%
Find here: £21.00

Oastbrook Pinot Gris 2023, East Sussex

Oastbrook Pinot Gris 2023, East Sussex the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

Image credit: Will Wong

Oast – a kiln for drying hops. Brook – a small natural stream.

Oastbrook is located on a beautiful farm by the banks of the River Rother, only a stone’s throw from Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. It had been owned by Guinness for the farming of hops as the Oast houses themselves were used for drying the hops. 

The wine estate is the brainchild of husband Nick and wife America Brewer who grew up in the Bahia region of Brazil. Nick used to work in finance internationally but retrained at Plumpton College as a winemaker. America was top of her year in plant biology on her BSc in viticulture and oenology at Plumpton. She planted her first vines at Oastbrook only in 2017. They tell their own story here.

Nick described their wines as America’s sunshine and charismatic personality in bottles. The couple passionately believe in sustainable ecology starting with soil health. “Learn from the grapes and don’t copy others” is their shared motto. With the range of activities and amenities on site, their dedication to the land, produce and community with business acumen is evident. 

Only 2250 bottles of the 2023 Pinot Gris were released. Its nose could easily fool you as a Riesling with hints of petrol. A full-bodied unoaked gastro wine with citrus acidity and a long mineral finish. Think Bacchus or Sauvignon Blanc with greater intensity and texture. It pairs well with sautéed king prawns and asparagus pasta tossed in pesto. Abundant substance to lay down for a couple of years. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £22.50

The Best English Rosé and Red Wines

The Best English Rosé and Red Wines the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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Haphazard weather means variation in grape ripeness from vintage to vintage. The earlier varietals such as Madeleine Angevine, Dornfelder, Regent or Rondo seem to have fallen out of fashion to Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier which are used in making Traditional Method sparkling wines. But are rosés the answer to harnessing less than fully ripened black grapes? To date, there is no uniform signature English rosé style as in Provence. In global volume terms, English rosé is still a cottage industry through trial and error at the mercy of changing climate. When done well, there are hidden gems that are unique and not copycats of Provence or Italy. 

It is only in the last five years quality still wine is made out of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The amount of vineyards in Britain that are growing still wine grapes is probably in the low hundreds of hectares, which is the equivalent of one village in France worth of vineyard area. 

Producing a serious still Pinot Noir is even more demanding. Winemakers want the colour from the skin, which must be fully ripe – or they risk extracting harsh green tannins from it. It can be tricky to get the ripeness levels and style of fruit needed even with warmer summers over the last decade or so; according to Laura Rhys at Gusbourne. 

We have found four shining examples of English rosé and Pinot Noir well worth savouring.

Giffords Hall Rosé 2022, Suffolk

Giffords Hall Rosé 2022, Suffolk the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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Giffords Hall is a family owned vineyard planted on the site of an ancient glacial riverbed near Long Melford in Suffolk. The sandy/clay soil in the East Anglian desert as proprietor Linda Howard calls it produces quality grapes high in natural sugars and acids, that lend themselves particularly well to both sparkling and dry, aromatic still wines.

The Howards initially bought an established vineyard which is now 35 years old. The Giffords Hall label was officially launched in 2009 with a Rosé and a Bacchus still wine. Since 2020, Linda has managed the vineyard and winery with her daughter Ellie and son Harry together with a small team. 

In the bottle and glass, this rosé is very pale salmon pink from a careful blend of hand-picked Madeleine Angevine and Rondo, a deep red grape. Fresh strawberries on the nose and when served at 12ºC, it reveals its true flinty character which works beautifully with smoked wild Alaskan salmon and boiled new potatoes. Long finish. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £13.95

Folc Dry English Rosé 2023

Folc Dry English Rosé 2023 the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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Husband-and-wife team Tom and Elisha Cannon decided to be an independent negociant sourcing the finest grapes grown on the best, family-owned and run vineyards across Kent, Suffolk and Sussex. Not restricted by historic rules or traditions, Folc was born in 2019 as an English rosé to rival the best from Provence. 

Folc makes only rosé; and in this case they have blended seven varieties of grapes from Pinot Noir to Bacchus and Ortega. Where the black grapes give the wine its ripe red fruit flavours of wild strawberries, raspberries and cranberries, the white grapes work in harmony to form an ensemble with a crisp and textural long finish. It is a serious pink gastro wine that compliments pan fried salmon wrapped in bacon with steamed greens. Serve well chilled.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £21.99

Knightor Portscatho Pinot Noir Précoce 2022, Cornwall

Knightor Portscatho Pinot Noir Précoce 2022, Cornwall the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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The name Knightor is intriguing in itself. You can read about the history behind its brand here. Today, Knightor Winery is a boutique enterprise situated not far from the Eden Project and St Austell Brewery in Cornwall. They make premium quality, limited production English wines from grapes grown in English vineyards, and their own vines at Portscatho on the Roseland Peninsula, and Seaton on the south Cornish coast. It has also become an established Cornish wedding venue and rustic events space.

Retired IT professional Adrian Derx the owner is a down-to-earth entrepreneur. It is hard to imagine young winemaker David Brocklehurst already at the helm for twelve years and counting, creating a range of eclectic wines including a Riesling! Far more than just a vineyard with winery tours, there is also a restaurant and bar on site. and how about Sunday roast in their winery?

Its Alsatian or German style bottle, together with a distinctive cartography label really stands out. Unfined and unfiltered, so best stand the bottle upright for an hour before opening. Decant to separate its natural sediment and let the young wine open up. Dark fruits and bramble on the nose, followed by soft but well structured tannins and fresh acidity that will see this wine further develop over the next 2-3 years. A long and satisfying smoky finish that really puts Cornwall on the map for English wines. Pairs well with roast chicken or BBQ prawns. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £22.95

Davenport Redmoors Pinot Noir 2022, East Sussex

Davenport Redmoors Pinot Noir 2022, East Sussex the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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Everyone in the UK wine trade has heard of the veteran vinegrower and wine maker Will Davenport, who began his career as a wine merchant in England in the 1980s. He then studied for a post-graduate diploma in oenology at Roseworthy College in Adelaide, South Australia. On returning to England, he worked at a vineyard in Hampshire with amazing grapes but very poor English wines no one wanted back then.

In 1991, Davenport planted his first five acres (two hectares) of vines at his parents’ apple farm in Horsmonden, Kent. He now owns 24 acres (10 hectares) across 5 plots, and fully converted to organic in 2000. Organic might sound admirable but remains a persistent challenge in the British cool climate with erratic rainfall patterns and humidity, making the vines prone to diseases. 

Firmly believing in the potential of great fruit from healthy vines, instead of using chemicals in the vineyard and winery, Davenport has been consistently creating both whites and reds with a depth of character. His wines inspired former music producer Adrian Pike to work as a winemaker under Will, before setting up his Westwell label. Other notable ex-apprentices include Peter Morgan (ex Nyetimber), Ben Walgate (ex Tillingham), and Ben Witchell (Flint in Norfolk). 

This Pinot Noir is sourced from the 5-acre organic Redmoors vineyard planted in 2016. Whole berries were fermented with natural yeasts, matured in oak for 18 months and bottled without filtration before release a further 20 months on. It is light in style comparable to a refined German Spätburgunder rather than the more intense Pinot Noir from Central Ortago, New Zealand or Oregon in the USA. Aromatic with complex red fruit and balanced acidity. 

Only 260 bottles were made.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £24.20

The Best English Sparkling Wine

The Best English Sparkling Wine the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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For anyone who is already familiar with English wine, chances are they tasted a sparkling at some point. The international success of English sparkling wine is a relatively recent phenomenon, when in the 1990s producers realised respectable bubblies could be made in the traditional method just like champagne, with the three classic grapes of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown in chalky soil across southeast England. 

That momentum was further confirmed in 2015 when Tattinger, one of the most respectable Champagne houses acquired land just outside Faversham in Kent. Planting of vines took place in May 2017, followed by Champagne Pommery launching its first English sparkling wine, made in partnership with Hattingley Valley in Hampshire. 

Over the last five years, UK production has been consistently ⅔ sparkling and ⅓ still, with 80% of plantings coming from Champagne varietals. To put in context, in the UK we produce 12 million bottles a year, Dom Perignon alone produces roughly 5 million, and it is this scarcity that contributes to the high price point of English wine. 

The question is: could the finest English sparkling match the quality and prestige of Champagne? 

Nyetimber Classic Cuveé, West Sussex

Nyetimber Classic Cuveé, West Sussex the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

Image credit: Will Wong

‘Nyetimber is possibly the most famous of all the English sparkling wine producers, largely because of the reputation they built up on the first wines they made in the early 1990s. These were the first bottles that made people realise that English sparkling wine wasn’t just good: it could be world class.’ Dr Jamie Goode 

The Nyetimber effect actually traces back to an anglophile couple from Chicago, Sandy and Stuart Moss who knew little about winemaking. In the 1980s, they spotted a gap in quality sparkling wine. After investing in a hugely professional operation with premium style exclusivity as focus, their first wine made from Chardonnay planted in 1988 and made in 1992, won best sparkling wine in England. Their second, a blend of all three classic grapes from 1993, won best non-champagne sparkling wine in the world at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 1998. The couple returned to the US in 2001, and Nyetimber has since had two changes in ownership and management. 

Under the stewardship of Eric Heerema, Cherie Spriggs at Nyetimber was the first non-Champenois and woman winemaker to win the prestigious ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ award at the International Wine Challenge 2018. Hence, the Nyetimber range has become a benchmark for English sparkling the world over.  

Nowadays, Nyetimber owns more vines than most of the major label Champagne houses. They are able to source vastly contrasting parcels of fruit in producing as many as 115 batches of base wine across their three county holdings. This advantage enables multi-vintage blending to create a consistent ‘house style’, which is common practice for the established Champagne houses across the Channel.

The Classic Cuveé is the flagship multi-vintage blend with mostly Chardonnay, followed by Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. If you want to know the precise details, look at the back label and you will find a very long number in the bottom left corner. On its website, you could submit that to reveal a precise chronology of each bottle, detailing the important moments of bottling, riddling and disgorging.

With a bouquet of baked apples and toasted brioche, it has balanced acidity with a creamy mouthful and lemon pastry that outshines many non-vintage (NV) Champagne at a similar price point. When stored correctly (on its side, in darkness away from direct light and heat), most NV sparkling wine should continue to evolve with complexity and intensity. It pairs effortlessly with smoked salmon, sushi, oysters, scallops and even asparagus. Serve well chilled. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: On offer at £29.00, down from £42 till 25/06/2024.

Nyetimber Cuveé Chérie Demi-Sec, West Sussex

Nyetimber Cuveé Chérie Demi-Sec, West Sussex the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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It is no coincidence we are recommending two Nyetimber; for the above is a totally different experience. Made with 100% Chardonnay, it’s off dry and yet refreshing. The very fine bubbles offer an inviting biscuity nose followed by lemon zest on the palate. Try it with fruit tarts, custard tarts and Pasteis de nata, Crème Brûlée or strong blue cheeses. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £42.99 or £29.99 Mix Six 

Busi Jacobsohn Blanc de Noirs 2018, East Sussex

Busi Jacobsohn Blanc de Noirs 2018, East Sussex the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

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Busi Jacobsohn is a modern fairy tale where Swedish-born Douglas Jacobsohn and his Italian-born wife Susanna Busi fell in love with Blackdorn Farm in Eridge. Across their five hectares, they planted an equal split of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, leaving 20% to Pinot Meunier.

Douglas spent most of his career in the marine insurance business. That perhaps explains his foresight in future-proofing by installing a drainage system beneath their vineyard, helping rainwater run off and letting their prized grapes ripen over the naturally heat-retaining sandstone. 

With the ethos of grower champagnes, they only produce single estate vintage wines not relying on blending to create a house style. 

The 2018 Blanc de Noirs is made with handpicked Pinot Noir (78%) and Pinot Meunier (22%). It is effervescent with balanced red apple acidity and mild toast on the palate. Bone dry with medium finish which is expected to further develop over 3-5 years. Pairs well with creamy crab pasta and Comté; but not Gorgonzola as Susanna advised; and she was absolutely right.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £48.00

Gusbourne 2015 Late Disgorged Brut Reserve, Kent

Gusbourne 2015 Late Disgorged Brut Reserve, Kent the best wines for english wine week 2024 the three drinkers

Image credit: Will Wong

Everything about Gusbourne is premium. Its name is associated with John de Goosebourne’s Appledore estate first mentioned in 1410. South African orthopaedic surgeon Andrew Weeber bought this site in 2003, with their first release in 2010. Nowadays, the company is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), with Lord Ashcroft as the main shareholder of the Gusbourne Estate. The vines now spread across 60 hectares (150 acres) at Appledore with the winery, and a further 30 hectares (75 acres) in West Sussex near Greenwood.

Gusbourne only produces vintage still and sparkling wines; with no intention of blending. Long lees ageing is the norm that results in softened acidity with added complexity. Their range of sparkling wine is impressive in quality whose unique characters come alive when you have a food pairing seasonal lunch on site. Or you could have a relaxed picnic among the vines.

Our last showcase of the dozen is truly a special occasion gem. First tasted when Laura Rhys offered at the 2022 WineGB tasting, it was once sipped, forever smitten.

63% Chardonnay and 37% Pinot Noir went into this late disgorged marvel. Light gold in colour with a fine mousse and aromas of citrus peel, alongside brioche and biscuit notes. Due to extended lees ageing, the palate is creamy and complex with flavours of buttered toast and delicate spice leading to a long, intense and unforgettable finish. Perfect with roast chicken, seared tuna steaks or rich vegetarian moussaka. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £105.00

The Future of English Wine

The quality of English sparkling wine (ESW) is firmly established against their Champagne counterparts. If you were to taste blind, you might surprise yourself to find your favourite pick turn out to be an ESW. However, with the average spend on a bottle of wine being under £7 in the UK, it is highly unlikely that a typical household sees an ESW as part of essential weekly shopping. That takes us to the emerging and ever improving still wines; which form the first two-thirds of this special English Wine Week edition. 

Production volume is minuscule by global standards with export markets still in their infancy. With high labour and production costs, and escalating prime land prices, English wine will never be able to compete with Argentina, Chile or South Africa on price alone. Output has to rise substantially, which again depends on the vintage. In the long run, entry level English still wines might need to find a price point below £15 to entice consumers to give them a try; against the infinite choices from around the world between £8-£15 on the shelves.

Many producers quietly celebrate global warming and climate change as warmer temperatures help their grapes ripen sufficiently to make quality still wines. According to a new report by the World Weather Attrition Group, Britain will increasingly see monsoon-like rains over the next decade, as well as more frequent hail storms and even “mini tornadoes”. UK regions with the highest average temperatures, particularly those in southern and central England, are likely to see the worst storms. These cast an omen for a burgeoning industry about to enter its next critical growth phase. Suddenly, looking after the soil and vines is no longer enough when dealing with climate chaos. Big Data sharing should help collective resilience through mitigation and adaptation strategies. 

Does anyone know the role of AI in viticulture and winemaking in our brave new world of the unknown?

Great Books to Read About English Wine

Vines in a Cold Climate: The People Behind the English Wine Revolution by Henry Jeffreys

Fortnum & Mason Drink Writer of the Year 2024. When was the last time you read a page-turner on wine? This is it. Opinionated but witty. Thoroughly researched without being academic. It is like a friend who’s had too much to drink telling you who’s who and done what. 

The Vineyards of Britain: Cellar Door Adventures with the Best of Britain’s Wines by Ed Dallimore

How did Ed do it? Lost count of how many vineyards are actually featured in this compendium with stunning imagery, lucid and personable writing reflecting thorough research and his empathy with the characters behind the wine labels.

By Will Wong

will wong drinklusive mentee the three drinkers

Your Wine Travel Guide to Kent

Best English wine Kent thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Kent is a county in southeast England known colloquially as the Garden of England thanks to its historical importance for growing cereal crops, hops and fruit. With the increase in vineyard plantings however, things are changing quickly and Kent has already become one of the leading areas for top-quality wines in the UK. Below, we discuss why this is, give you the big names to look out for and suggest what else you can do while you’re there...

Despite evidence dating back to Roman times showing that winemaking practices have been common in England for over 2000 years, the buzz surrounding the exciting rise of English wine is actually pretty recent. The big success story here is sparkling wine made in the traditional method (now officially known over here as the ‘classic method’), with ‘new’ grape varieties i.e. Chardonnay. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier; the grape varieties famous for making the great sparkling wines of Champagne. Before this practice took off, Kent and the rest of England were working more with still wines made with the aromatic, Germanic varieties that did better in the cold, such as Madeleine Angevine, Rondo and Bacchus. 

Why is Kent wine doing so well?

Best English wine Kent Vineyard thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

So why the new grapes and the success with wine in Kent particularly? Fruit growing temperatures and conditions in Kent have always been excellent and the soils, particularly those under the North Downs in the north of the county, share the same chalk ridges as the famous region of Champagne in France. This discovery led to trialing out the Champagne grapes mentioned above and to great success. Climate change has also meant that in the right conditions, grapes are able to ripen just that little bit more than they used to, which makes all the difference for wine production. Add to this the modern techniques by winemakers who have travelled the world and improved disease control and you have a recipe for success - so much so that we are even seeing famous Champagne houses snapping up land, such as Domaine Evremond, owned by the Taittinger family, who have planted vines down in Faversham. 

There are now over fifty wineries in Kent alone and the area is quickly becoming a real destination for fine wine production and gastro tourism, the latter helped by the picture perfect villages, cottages, landscapes and oasthouses of the county. If you’ve seen the film ‘The Holiday’, you’ll know exactly what we mean. A group of these wineries have also got together to support each other and boost the reputation of Kent wine under the title ‘Wine Garden of England’. These are Biddenden, Gusbourne, Balfour at Hush Heath Estate, Chapel Down, Domaine Evremond, Simpsons and Squerryes. 

Beer and Spirits

Best English wine Kent Copper Rivet thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Drinks lovers will also note that Kent also has a strong association with growing hops for beer and we can still see some of these oast houses dotted around the county, though they are more often used as posh housing nowadays. Distilleries are also popping up, with some offering some fantastic experience for visitors, such as Copper Rivet over in Chatham that offers distillery tours and tastings and also has a new cocktail bar and fine dining restaurant on site. 

Notable wineries of Kent

Of the fifty or so wineries dotted around the county, there are several that stand out. While these names will change over time with new ones being added regularly, these are the need-to-know producers currently making a splash and well worth a visit:

  • Gusbourne

  • Balfour at Hush Heath

  • Simpsons

  • Biddenden

  • Woodchurch

  • Herbert Hall

  • Squerryes

  • Chapel Down

  • Mereworth

  • Look out for Domaine Evremond too; the Taittinger family project, recently planted.

Gusbourne

Best English wine Kent Gusbourne Winery thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Location: Appledore, Kent

Gusbourne and its head winemaker Charlie Holland have been turning heads all over the vinous world as their vintage sparkling wines gather inordinate amounts of awards. Even their first releases in 2006 (Gusbourne Brut Reserve and Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs), which were released in 2010, commanded attention immediately. Since then, the English wine world has watched in awe as the team crafts the vintages every year, adding new cuvées and styles to their repertoire. The winery now produces several white and rosé sparkling wines as well as an impressive range of still wines, each with their own personality. This is a real, fine wine producer of Kent.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours
Guided and self guided tours with wine tastings are available from £25 pp.

Food

While there is no restaurant or café at Gusbourne per se, picnics are available to buy and consume overlooking the stunning Boot Hill vineyard at the top of the estate. You can however, also pre book an extended tour and tasting which includes a 3 course lunch for £95pp or for something less formal, try the discovery tour, which involves a tasting and a casual lunch for £75 pp. Locals say to try the Ferry Inn in Oxney or The Woolpack Inn in Warehorne for great pub grub if the tasting lunches don’t work for you. Also, make sure you pay a visit to Miss Mollett's High Class Tea Rooms in Appledore if you’re staying there. 

Accommodation

None on site but there are several very pretty Air BnBs down the road in Appledore, about 30 mins walk away through the vines.

Kiddie friendly: No. 
Dog friendly: Yes outside, or possibly inside if clean and very well behaved. 

Address: Kenardington Rd, Appledore, Ashford TN26 2BE
Tel: +44 (0)1233 758666
Website


Balfour at Hush Heath Estate 

Best English wine Kent Balfour Hush Heath Winery thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Location: Near Stapleford, Kent

The 16th century Hush Heath manor is the home to Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn who acquired the 400 acre estate that surrounds it in 2001 after it came up unexpectedly in an auction. The couple had the foresight to plant grape vines alongside some of the apple trees and now, twenty years later, they are producing award-winning sparkling and still wines alongside their beers and high class ciders that are made just like their fizz. With their new terrace called ‘The View’ and its sweeping views across the estate, it’s a lovely spot for a tasting with a sharing platter. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

At Hush Heath, you can do simple guided and self-guided walks around the estate culminating in a tasting or you can upgrade the offering to include sharing platters at The View. They offer several types of other experiences, including self-tutored tastings, masterclasses, wine and dine experiences and corporate and private events where they pick you up from the station!

Food

There’s no restaurant or café at Hush Heath as such, but sharing platters of cold cuts, cheeses and other local products are available on the day.  

Accommodation

The Balfour family own several gastro pubs with rooms in the area (and elsewhere), the closest of which is the Goudhurst Inn five minutes drive away. They also own the Tickled Trout in Farleigh, the Woolpack on Tenterden high street, the Ship Inn in Rye and The Windmill in Hollingbourne, all a bit further away. 

Kiddie Friendly: Yes on the terrace and in The View. Under 10’s are not permitted on the winery tour.

Address: Hush Heath Estate, Five Oak Ln, Staplehurst, Tonbridge TN12 0HT
Tel: +44 (0)1622 832794
Website


Simpsons English Wine Estate

Best English wine Kent Simpsons Wine Estate thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Location: Canterbury

Run by veteran winemaking couple Charles and Ruth Simpson, this estate is tucked away on the chalky slopes of the North Downs, sheltered from the weather by stunning English woodland. A relative newcomer on the English winemaking scene, Simpson’s first wine releases of traditional method sparkling wines in their sleek, dark packaging impressed from the off and they’ve gone on to produce some serious still wines too from the same Champagne grapes, including one that’s, unusually, made from 100% Pinot Meunier. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Simpsons offer weekday and weekend tours and tastings as well as sought-after, Friday Sunset Sessions with food platter.

Food

No restaurant or café, but platters are available on the Friday sunset sessions. 

Address: The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB
Tel: +44 (0) 1227 832200
Website


Biddenden Vineyards

Best English wine Kent thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers Biddenden Vineyards

Location: Biddenden

Biddenden is Kent’s original vineyard, dating back to 1969 when the first vines were planted on the Barnes family’s orchard farm. Unlike many of the other new wineries in Kent, Biddenden doesn’t just focus on the three Champagne grapes for its wine but celebrates eleven different grape varieties, including what we could now call the ‘heritage’ English grapes such as Bacchus, Ortega and Huxelrebe. A true location for quintessentially Kentish produce, Biddenden also produces cider, juices and sells a range of local produce. If you want to know Kentish wine, you should start here. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Self guided tours and wine tastings are available 7 days a week and group bookings for up to six people are available Weds-Sat. 

Shop

As well as wine, cider, beer and gin, Biddenden has a shop that stocks a wide range of local and regional products and snacks, such as cheese, meats and condiments from independent and artisan producers.

Address: Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, Kent. TN27 8DF.
Tel: +44 (0)1580 291726
Website


Woodchurch

Best English wine Kent Woodchurch wines thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Location: Woodchurch

Woodchurch is a relatively new, family-owned winery located on the edge of the picturesque village of Woodchurch in Kent, overlooking the ancient Romney marsh down to the English channel. Established in 2009, their vision is to create some of the world’s finest sparkling wines with a hand-made approach in their state-of-the-art winery and minimal intervention.

On Site Experiences

The cellar door shop and new terrace bar are now open again and they serve wines by the glass with some free tastings. There’s no need to book ahead for this. 

Tastings & Tours

Guided tours with four wines are available for £20 per person, lasting about an hour and a half.

Food

Cheese and Charcuterie boards are available too, 11am - 4pm but it’s wise to pre-order. 

Address: Susan's Hill, Woodchurch, Ashford TN26 3RE
Tel: 01233 860276
Website


Herbert Hall

Best English wine Kent Herbert Hall Wines thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Location: Marden Tonbridge

Herbert Hall is the name of a colourful character who was also a tenant farmer who arrived in the village of Marden at the end of the 19th century and worked on the ten-acre site to the west of the village. On the estate, he grew hops, apples, pears and plums and his farm has remained in the Hall family for three generations. It was in 2007 however that his great grandson, the now winemaker Nicholas Hall, chose Herbert’s original site to plant a vineyard with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Today, with fellow winemaker Kirsty Smith, he now produces vintage, English Sparkling Wines with a focus on organic viticulture and meticulous fruit selection.

On Site Experiences

Tastings, Tours & Food

The Herbert Hall bar is open on Saturdays 12pm-8pm and Sundays 12-6pm during the summer, but is currently weather dependent. The bar also serves beers, cider and soft drinks, as well as still wines, their own sparkling wines, and charcuterie and cheeses.

Address: Poultry Farm, Plain Rd, Marden, Tonbridge TN12 9LS
Website


Squerryes

Best English wine Kent Squerryes thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Location: Westerham, Kent

The Warde family motto, which can be seen above the door at Squerryes Court, reads ’Licet Esse Beatis’, which means: ‘it’s permitted to be joyful’ and this is a place that embodies that perfectly. Located just outside Westerham at the foot of the North Downs, the family have lived here for eight generations over 300 years, with Sir Patience Warde one of the first generation, trading wool from the Estate with the French for red wine. Fast forward centuries later and the family turned down offers from a Champagne house to buy some of their land. It was the right decision as now, Squerryes is making a solid name for its vintage, sparkling wines in their own right.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Squerryes offer tours that culminate in tastings that include their signature Brut release, the Rosé and Blanc de Blancs. Tours run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays every weekend through to October.

Food

Squerryes is a great choice for when you want to make a day of it, with a tour, then a tasting and a proper lunch or dinner in The Terrace restaurant or The Bottle Store restaurant. There is Al Fresco dining at The Terrace between April and September and you can look forward to small, seasonal dishes and sharing plates with select cuts of prime meat and seafood, created by their estate chef, Alexander Baillieu. 

Private Hire & Weddings

You have found your perfect location for a party or a wedding. Squerryes Court has featured in many a period drama and could be the perfect backdrop to your big day. The winery space is also available to hire. 

Address: Squerryes, Beggars Lane, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1QP
Tel: 01959 562345
Website

Chapel Down

Best English wine Kent Chapel Down thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Location: Tenterden, Kent

Chapel Down might well be the name in English wine that you are most familiar with as they were one of the first to go big and get ‘out there’ in mainstream shops and restaurants. Located just outside Tenterden and pretty close to Gusbourne and Woodchurch, this is a great location to start an English wine tour, especially as there are some great pubs with rooms nearby. Chapel Down themselves also offer a range of experiences, from guided tours, wine tastings and full-on masterclasses, to lunch at their restaurant ‘The Swan’. There are also accommodation packages you could look at with their partner hotels.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

You can do guided and self guided tours around their vineyards and herb garden. There are various options from simple tours and tastings to full, deluxe tour packages. Cheese and wine tastings are also available.

Food

Chapel Down boasts a two AA Rosette and Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants specialising in modern British cuisine and locally sourced seasonable produce.

Lease the vines!

Chapel Down also has a vine lease programme where you can buy or gift someone their very own Bacchus vines and create personalised wines. There are also events for the leaseholders to attend and you are able to visit your vines at any time to see how they are coming on. 

Address: Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7NG
Tel: 01580 763033
Website

Mereworth Wines

Location: Mereworth, Kent.

Mereworth is a pretty ancient Kentish site that even gets a mention in the Domesday book! The area, like much of Kent has a long history of growing fruit and hops and now, Mereworth has its own winery, swapping hops for grapes. It’s a new winery on the scene but is already making a splash with its first vintage of 2018 sparkling wines winning prestigious awards already. It’s rapidly becoming a serious destination for wine lovers thanks to its calendar of events such as their Indian wine supper and their Champagne Vs England sparkling wine tasting. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings, Tours & Food

Mereworth Wines runs tours and tastings, with an option of masterclasses and wine-and-cheese pairings too. Check their website for their events too.

Address: Brewers Hall, Tonbridge Rd, Mereworth, Maidstone, ME18 5JD. 
Tel: 01622 817795
Website

Places to stay in Kent for your wine tour

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The Woolpack Inn, Warehorne.

Tickled Trout in West Fairleigh

Woolpack, Tenterden high street.

The Ship Inn, Rye.

The Windmill, Hollingbourne.

The Oxney Barns, Oxney.

Shepherd’s Huts, Oxney.

Want to know more about English wine? Here are some need-to-know producers to seek out. Or you could try this article for the best UK vineyard hotels. Or this one for the best places to drink English wine in the UK!

Mother’s Day Gift Guide For Drinks Lovers

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Words by Helena Nicklin

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I wanted to share some of the cheeky treats that have caught my eye over the past month. Be it subscriptions, bottles, chocolates or glassware, there is a little something here to suit everyone, whether you are a mum or not!

Stir-Up Cocktail Subscription Membership

Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day stir-up cocktail thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

How about getting her a cocktail subscription box for 1, 3 or 6 months? Each smart Stir-Up box contains the ingredients needed to make 4 cocktails and is delivered directly to the recipient’s door with easy to follow instructions included. Learn how to mix a new classic cocktail each month and discover fun facts about the drink, the best place to drink them, and enjoy their curated playlist to put you in the mood for stirring and shaking. There’s also a follow along ‘how to’ video for each month’s featured cocktail. 

Find here: £29.95 a month

Women & Wine prints

Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day women & wine prints thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

I discovered Judith Clara on Instagram recently and fell in love with her Women & Wine prints, each drawn by hand in a single stroke. Choose from red or white wine, landscape or portrait formats and three different sizes. I bought three to make a trilogy! They are just beautiful and it’s a great way to support an up and coming artist.

Find here: From 15 EUR

Gosnell’s BEE KIND TO YOURSELF bundle

Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day Gosnells thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Created by the team behind the premier modern mead brand Gosnells, this little bundle of luxury includes two mead-scented bath bombs, a beeswax candle, a can of chilled mead and a mini pot of orange blossom honey. Hops have long been used in beer (and mead) production, but they have relaxing properties of their own and Hibiscus Flowers can be used in skin treatments to give a stunning, natural youth-boost! Choose your bundle in either Hopped green or Hibiscus pink and get a handwritten note with it. 

Find here: £16 (+p&p) 

Set of 2 Geometric Glasses

Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day Root7 Geometric glasses thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Perfect for making any drink feel like a treat, even a simple glass of water! I love this pair of gold, geometric glasses from Root7. Thick, 100% hand-blown glass gives them a sturdy feel while the lip has been crafted to provide a satisfying drinking experience. Available with a gold edge or a matte black edge.

Find here: £20.75

Laylo - Beautiful Boxed Wine

Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day Laylo thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Boxed wine can be beautiful both inside and out and a box is infinitely more sustainable than heavy glass bottles. This delicious, easy-drinking Rioja punches well above its price tag and looks beautiful on your countertop at the same time. The first in the range, the Laylo team source the wines directly from smaller producers they know and love and are dedicated to more environmentally packaging. The wine also stays fresh for up to six weeks  - not that you will have much left by then! 

Find here. £34.99

Wild Life Botanicals - Ultra-low alcohol ‘Bubbles with Benefits’

Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day Wild Life Botanicals thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

The perfect fizz when you want a drink but don’t want the hangover. These two, immensely refreshing 0.5% alcohol wines have super fine, elegant bubbles and complex aromas and flavours from a plethora of benefit-giving herbs and extractions, from Ashwagandha to Zinc. There is a sweetness there but not too much and they really do feel like a treat. They comes in white (nude) and blush (rosé) and are beautifully packaged. Perfect for gifts and super with Sunday lunch. 

Find here: £15 each

Amedei Chuao Chocolate X Gusbourne Sparkling Rosé

 Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day Cartografie gusbourne thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Cartografie are the new, sophisticated chocolatiers in town who think of terroir for chocolate just like winemakers do for wine. In this limited edition Mother’s Day pack, Kae and Sven have taken the silkiest Venezuelan chocolate from Amedei, turned it into a water ganache with a slight sprinkle of sea salt and perfumed it with an English blackcurrant eau de vie from Capreolus. It’s fruity and tangy with a thin shell. They say “think about a kirsch chocolate bonbon but with flavours of an English country garden.” Yum! Match these 12 gorgeous, hand-made chocolates with a bottle of one of England’s finest sparkling rosé wines from Gusbourne in Kent. Gift wrapping available too. 

Find here: £35 for the Chocolates or £80 with the Gusbourne too

100 Prosecco Recipes Book + Bottega Prosecco Gold Bottle

 Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day The 100 Prosecco recipes book Bottega Prosecco thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

From aperitifs to desserts, this book is a collection of recipes accompanied by many stories and curiosities. More than that though is a journey through the Prosecco hills, just north of Venice. Put together by Sandro Bottega of the well-loved Prosecco brand Bottega. Proud of the land and the riches it offers, Sandro wanted to pay homage to the straightforward, hard-working people who live there and who have created and still preserve its cuisine and its culture. With its stunning, mirrored gold cover, it makes the perfect gift along with the iconic golden bottle itself. 

Find the Bottega Gold Prosecco gift pack with two glasses here: £34.99
Find the recipe book here 

Kylie Minogue Wild Rosé Hamper

 Best Mother's Day Presents Best cocktails for mother's day Kylie Minogue wine hamper thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

A perfectly pitched, limited edition hamper where every touch was personally selected by Kylie herself. Inside the large wicker hamper with its hand embroidered lining and detail, you’ll find a  bottle of Kylie Minogue Côtes de Provence Rosé, her Signature Rosé, a Kylie corkscrew, 2 bespoke wine glasses, the Fine Cheese Co English farmhouse cheddar, chutneys for fig fruit, rosemary & sea salt dark chocolate, Yorkshire chardonnay crisps, Yorkshire sweet and salty popcorn, rosemary olive oil, orange candy and mandarin orange crisps. Bring it on!

Find here: £149

Perfect Drinks for Date Night

best date night drinks thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Words by Aidy Smith and Helena Nicklin

The biggest date night of the year is upon us, so be it still wine, bubbles, vodka or gin that you like to drink the most, here is Helena and Aidy’s selection of top picks to make your night the best yet, whether it’s a romantic date for two or a pamper date for one...

Cupid’s Perfect Sparkle

Taittinger Prestige Rosé Champagne

Best date night drinks Tattinger champagne thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

A deeply coloured, exceptionally vibrant rosé champagne produced using top class Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims and Les Riceys and a fair whack of Chardonnay that rounds everything out beautifully. Youthful in appeal, it’s a wine packed with bright red berry fruit with an elegant, smooth body and creamy mousse. This is no wallflower champagne. It demands attention! HN

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: UK £38

Rathfinny Sparkling Rosé 2017

Best date night drinks Rathfinny sparkling rose thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Rathfinny Estate is located on a prime, south-facing slope in East Sussex, where world class sparkling wines are produced largely from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Their sparkling rosé 2017 is a blend of 63% Pinot Noir, 19% Chardonnay, 18% Pinot Meunier. It has an elegant, cherry blossom pink hue with notes of crunchy red berries and a subtle, spicy finish. HN

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: UK £36 (includes a complimentary gift box for Valentine’s Day.)

Hattingley Valley Sparkling Rosé 2017

Best date night drinks Hattingley Valley thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Internationally renowned for its delicious English sparkling wines, Hattingley Valley has created its first-ever limited edition label just in time for Valentine’s day. A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir Précoce this award-winning 2017 sparkling rosé has delicious notes of strawberry coulis, a creamy texture and perfectly balanced acidity. Pair this with clam chowder - trust us, you won’t regret it. AS

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £41

White & Rosé Wonders

Gran Moraine Chardonnay 2017

Best date night drinks Gran Moraine Chardonnay thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

There’s nothing quite like a good Chardonnay to sip as you wind down in the evening and right now this beauty from Oregon is piquing our intrigue. Deriving from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, this rich, fruity and balanced Chard is bursting with flavour and the most important thing for me in a wine like this – texture. Some people love oak, others don’t, but this has the perfect balance, making it incredibly well rounded and sumptuous. Rich, but not overpowering you can expect to taste apricot, buttery lemon, kiwis and clementines. For those who love Chardonnay, this is for you. For those who don’t, I’d dare say it will convert you. AS

Size: 75cl
ABV: 13%
Find here: £43


Kylie Minogue, Rosé 2019

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Super easy-drinking, fruity and soft, Kylie’s first wine project is still an absolute smash hit. Made from Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon from the South of France, Kylie has manage to create a beautifully packed, pretty, pink drop that knocks it out of the park for value.

Size 75cl

ABV: 12.5%

Find here: £9

Marques de Murrieta Primer Rose 2017 

Best date night drinks Marques de Murrieta Primer Rose thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Imagine the most beautiful rosé you’ve had from Provence, something along the lines of Domaine Ott? Well, say hello to the Spanish equivalent. Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than this. Strawberries, cream and raspberries erupt from the glass and with it so much texture. You’ll often hear me harp on about that word – but for whites and rosés, texture is key for me! This is the wine to be popping the cork on when the sun shines outside (and when I want it to shine inside, too). AS

Size: 75cl
ABV: 13%
Find here: UK £29.35

Changyu Moser XV Blanc de Noir 2016

Best date night drinks Chateau Changyu Moser XV thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Allow us to introduce you to the first white Cabernet Sauvignon from China – and my god is it beautiful. Firstly, the vines are around 15 years old – which is pretty unheard of when it comes to rosé. The vines themselves are located in the Ningxia province with Lenz M. Moser continuing to establish his name as a pioneering force of nature for Chinese wines. Estate bottled for that final seal of quality, you can expect grapefruit peel, exotic fruits and an array of crushed raspberries and apple. Zippy and refreshing with texture – and as you know, texture is everything. AS

Size: 75cl
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £18.99


Romantic Red Wines

Saint Amour, Domaine Des Côtes de la Roche, Beaujolais, 2018

Best date night drinks Saint Amour Domaine des Cotes de la Roche thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

No date night is complete without a bottle of Saint-Amour. This vibrant, perfumed and fruity wine made with the Gamay grape hails from one of the lesser known and smallest of the ten Beaujolais ‘Crus’. It’s refreshing and lively with notes of concentrated blackcurrant and dark cherry with a whiff of wild strawberry and a slick of slate. Very easy, very pretty wine. HN

Size: 75cl
ABV: 13%
Find here: UK £11.50


Maruxa Mencia, Virgen del Galir, 2019,

Best date night drinks Maruxa Mencia thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Mencia is a grape that we will see exploding onto the wine scene soon as more and more people look towards lighter, crunchier, more refreshing red wines styles. Hailing most famously from Northwestern Spain, Mencia has similar strawberry and cherry-like qualities and high acidity, like Pinot Noir and Gamay, but add to the mix a touch of licorice and plum spice and a cool minerality with this one, which is made in tiny quantities by the same people responsible for the fabulous Contino Rioja. HN

Size: 75cl
ABV: 14%
Find here: UK £12.99 per bottle (£10.99 mix six).


Bolney Estate Pinot Noir 2019

Best date night drinks Bolney Estate thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Pinot Noir has garnered a reputation as the heartbreak grape as it needs contact care and attention to flourish, but when it does, it certainly gives the love back. This Pinot from Bolney Estate is light, elegant and silky, with understated notes of cherry and red plum with just the slightest hint of spice. Perfect if you’re after wine with a lighter touch and it goes perfectly with cold cuts, smoked salmon and hard, mature cheese. HN

Size: 75cl
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: UK £19.99


The McGuigan Reserve Shiraz

Best date night drinks McGuigan Reserve Shiraz thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

If a more easy-going, rich and juicy wine is what you’re after, then an Australian Shiraz will be your vinous comfort blanket. The Mcguigan Reserve Shiraz is our go-to, easy drinker thanks to its chocolatey texture and notes of blackcurrant, mint and damson conserve. Concentrated and spice, it’s a warm hug in a glass - one of the very few dry wine styles that can take chocolate and pairs perfectly with a snuggle on the sofa. HN

Size: 75cl
ABV: 13%
Find here: UK £7.

English Wine Gifting: Hampers, Tastings, Tours & More

Gusbourne X Cartografie Chocolate

Best date night drinks Gusbourne Cartografie chocolate thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

The ultimate, elegant, English pairing featuring one of the most exciting wine producers in the UK and an emerging, boutique chocolatier, hand crafting beautiful, single origin, single bean chocolates. This duo features the stunning, 2016 rosé from Gusbourne in Appledore, Kent with its notes of crips apple, cherry and strawberry and a Cartografie box containing 4 hand-crafted, ganache filled chocolates. HN & AS

Find here: here


Rathfinny Estate: Hampers, Accommodation mid vines, Tasting packs.

Best date night drinks Rathfinny Estate thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Rathfinny are also offering Valentine’s day hampers packed full of fresh, local produce and a Valentine’s wine case with their Cradle Valley 2018 Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc and their 2018 Seven Sisters Gin. Experience-wise, you can also get vouchers for overnight packages for couples to stay at their beautifully restored Flint Barns in the heart of the vines, tours of the estate and three-course lunches at their Michelin Plate Tasting Room restaurant. HN

See more here



Bolney Estate: Private Virtual Wine Tasting with Bespoke Bottle engraving

Best date night drinks Bolney Estate thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Bolney Estate are offering private, virtual tastings of their Cuvée Rosé, Eighteen Acre Rosé, Blanc de Blancs and Cuvée Pinot Noir, you can also request a bespoke package to include any of their wines or even a wine and food pairing tasting packages with cheese and chocolate selections. Bolney is also offering gift boxes containing sparkling wines or gins with chocolates. HN

See all their options here


Candles

Parks Candles

best candles for romance parks candles thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

There’s just something about the way Parks create their candles that makes you feel so wholesome and comforted. Whether to create a romantic ambience during dinner or more of a relaxing one in the bath – they’ve got it all. Some of our personal favourites are Feu de Bois, Amber, Tobacco & Leather and of course Bourbon & Maple – but we’re sure you’ll fall in love with something that resonates with you too. AS

Find here: Prices start from £10


MoJo White Truffle & Cognac Candle

Best date night drinks MoJo Candles thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

We’ve tested a lot of candles over the last few months and MoJo have been knocking out of the park for alluring aromas, long lasting length and fantastic value. We adore the White Truffle and Cognac candle which scents your room with a cosy, creamy, white chocolate scent with a hint of orange peel and spice. Original and gorgeous. We also love their Fig & Rose and Sumi & Paper Ink. Find them while you can! HN

Find here: £19

Get in the Spirit

Rosé Sainte Marie Pink Gin, Salcombe Distilling

Best date night drinks Salcombe Gin thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Salcombe Gin’s beautiful, double award-winning pink gin is inspired by the sensory wonders of the South of France. Named after the lighthouse in Marseille’s Old Port where the fruit used to come in, it has a delicate fragrance of citrus fruit, white peach and melon. Pour over ice, top up with tonic and garnish with a slice of pink grapefruit, peach or even strawberry and breath in the atoms of a warm evening in Provence, even if it’s still snowing outside. Available in 70cl, 5cl and a range of gifts. HN

Size: 70cl
ABV: 41.4%
Find here: UK £40


Mirabeau Provence Rosé Gin

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When it comes to rosé my top choice for quality and value is always Mirabeau, which made me pretty god damn excited when they announced they were making a gin. While the base botanicals consist of juniper, citrus, orris root, angelica root and coriander it’s the Provençal twist containing a variety of herbs such as bay, thyme and rosemary alongside the neutral grape spirit and base distillate of Mirabeau Classic Rosé that really makes this gin stand out from the crowd. The result is a fruity and textured gin with lemon, coriander and citrus bursting with floral notes, rose petals and lavender. The story ends on a final note as those herbs add an extra kick of character to the blend. AS

Size: 70cl
ABV:
43%
Find here: UK £45



Belvedere Single Estate - Smogóry Forest

Best date night drinks Belvedere Vodka Smogory Forest thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

Our next treat takes us to a tiny village in the far west stretches of Poland where Belvedere’s Smogóry Forest estate calls home. Mild winters and long summers result in bakers-grade Diamond Dańkowskie rye – the perfect base product for this award-winning vodka. Purposely left unfiltered to allow the flavour to continue to elevate over time, this is a vodka for those who like true craft. The single-estate gem oozes with salted caramel, cereal and a touch of honey evolve to reveal toasted bread and a hint of white pepper. AS

Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £39.90 // US $49.99


Gran Patron Platinum

Best date night drinks Gran Patron Platinum thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

I love a good tequila, it seems to be one of the spirits I’ve really found an appreciation for over the last few years. If I was to name one house that consistently delivers quality across its whole portfolio, my mind takes me straight to Patrón. It seems there’s a little something for everyone and while I’ll happily get my hands on a Reposado for my margarita needs (quick tip, avoid the salt rim, it ruins the drink), I love nothing more than to sip on something of premium quality. That brings me to Gran Patrón Platinum, arguably the world’s first ultra-premium tequila. With each bottle taking around 30 people to create, quality is of the utmost level. Agave is individually sourced for its rich sugar content before being harvested, triple distilled and left for 30 days in oak tanks to create pure elegance. The result is a smooth and seductive nectar of agave, orange, vanilla, lime and white peppercorns. Pure bliss if you ask me and don’t even get me started on a Mexican Martini (google it, you won’t be disappointed). AS

Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £193.95  // US $199.99

Highclere Castle Gin

Best date night drinks Highclere Castle Gin thethreedrinkers.com The Three Drinkers

The perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, this stunning gin is created using botanicals from Highclere Estate, also known for its appearance in the internationally renowned Downton Abbey series. The multi-award winning gin is distilled at England’s oldest distillery, Langley, in one of the oldest working copper gin stills dating back to the 1800’s. The result is an incredibly smooth gin, perfect for sipping over ice but also equally good in cocktail. Check out their ‘British 75’ cocktail, simple and yet stunning, it is a perfect celebration cocktail that will add the wow to your Valentine’s Day.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 43.5%
Find here: UK £42.30 // $39.99 

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