red wine
More and more vineyards in England are producing red wines, pinot noir so far being the most successful, and producing a lighter style than the typical French style.
Wickham vineyard in Hampshire make this medium bodied, easy drinking red wine. Made mostly from Triomphe d'Alsace and matured in oak for 10 months before it is bottled, this fruity wine is a great accompaniment to red meat and cheese. This wine is good to drink now but will keep for several years.
View prices for Wickham Row Ash Red NV Hampshire.
Bookers vineyard made headlines in October 2007 when it's 2005 Dark Harvest was the joint highest scoring wine in a blind tasting of similarly priced european red wines. The tasting panel was made up of UK wine experts including two of London's top sommeliers – Laure Patry from Maze and Fabrice Hequet from La Noisette.
View prices for Bookers Dark Harvest 2008.
Somborne Valley Estate in Hampshire make this juicy, deep coloured red wine. Made from Rondo/Regent grapes this is a great accompaniment to cheeses and cold meats, or equally satisfying on its own.
View prices for Somborne Valley Estate Red 2006.
Chapel Down Pinot Noir 2005, is aged for a year in French and American barrels which gives it a peppery spiciness, which compliments the fruitiness of the wine. A perfect partner for lamb and game.
View prices for a range of Chapel Down wines.
Stanlake Park Wine Estate, formerly Valley Vineyards are proud producers of high-quality English wine and were one of the first English vineyards to win an award for a red wine. The 2002 Pinot Noir is made in the traditional Burgundian method, with a warm fermentation in new French oak barriques. The wine is very smooth, light and silky in character and can either be served at room temperature or very slightly cooler. It will age for a further 5-6 years. Available from the vineyard, orders can also be taken over the phone. £19.99 a bottle.
www.stanlakepark.com
Bolney Antares Red Quality Sparkling Wine is pretty groundbreaking stuff for English wine. Many wine snobs may turn their noses up at a sparkling red, but, mostly thanks to the Aussies and some fantastic sparkling shiraz wines, sparkling red wine is becoming increasingly popular. Bookers vineyard are getting in on the game with this fruity, full bodies sparkling red, with just a hint of spice.