Oz & James Drink to Britain and Visit Sussex Vineyard

In case you missed it, view the final episode of Oz & James Drink to Britain BBC iPlayer until 3rd March

Briefly Oz & James visit the chalky soil of Sussex which boasts characteristics similar to that of Champagne. Heading off to Breaky Bottom vineyard to meet one of the pioneers of English sparkling wine, Peter Hall, Oz sets James the challenge of picking out the English sparkling wine in a blind tasting.

They also pay a visit a winemaker Dermot Sugrue (former winemaker at Nyetimber), an exciting talent in the English wine industry. Dermot has established a new winery on the Wiston Estate, on the South Downs of West Sussex using equipment imported from France, including a vintage Champagne press. We're eagerly awaiting his first production!

Learn About The English Wine Industry Today

There is a quiet revolution evolving across England’s vineyards. No longer the subject of derision, English wines, particularly English sparkling wines are standing up to and even beating hands down their rivals in Champagne at blind tastings across Europe.

The UK is one of the largest export markets for Champagne but this may be set to change with English sparkling wines winning numerous awards. Tim Atkin, chairman of the International Wine Challenge awards, told The Independent in 2007 "English wine is finally showing that it should no longer be regarded as a cottage industry but as an industry which can produce world-class wines."

A warmer climate, especially across the southern counties, years of hard work and dogged enthusiasm, winemakers are reaping the fruits of their labour. Today, there are around 400 English vineyards across Kent, Hampshire, Essex and Sussex. Wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd in their ‘Future of Wine’ Report in 2008 believe the amount of English farmland devoted to wine production may rival that of France by 2058.

No longer confined to the recesses of quirky independent wine merchants, the supermarkets are now offering a good selection of English wines including award winners from Estate’s such as Breaky Bottom. Sussex (Gold Medal Winner in the South East Vineyards 2008) and Chapel Down Winery, Kent (IWSC silver medal 2008).

In addition there is now the opportunity to visit many of the vineyards across the South-East, walk through the vines, learn about the inner workings of a winery and taste the wines in production. English Vine Tours is a unique company providing these wine tour experiences across Sussex and Kent.

English Vine Tours have a desire to bring the beauty of the English vineyards and the delights of English wine to a wider audience. Their aim is to promote the English wine industry, celebrate English producers and allow everyone to truly experience the production and effort that it takes to produce a bottle of English wine.

We're now enjoying life by the sea and have moved our offices.... here's the view :)

Valentine's Day Wine Tour Experience

Well the weather turned out nice, a relief!

English Vine Tours joined forces with the superb country hotel - Newick Park, Newick, East Sussex for a superb Valentine’s Day Experience. Alice and Richard, whizzed down from south London in their mini-coupe and checked into the hotel for 2pm. Collected in an executive vehicle they were whisked off to Carr Taylor Vineyards near Battle in East Sussex.

We toured the vines, described the grape varieties grown, the English weather and how things are done in the vineyard. Following the vineyard tour we entered the winery and took a good look at all the various pieces of equipment used in the making of still wines as well as sparkling wines. Gaining in knowledge they felt comfortable now to tackle the hard part- the wine tasting.

We sampled dry whites, off-dry whites, rose wines and sparkling wines. Feeling brave we then went on to sample the estate’s award winning fruit wines, which were enjoyed by all. Upon completing this superb experience we drove slowly back to the hotel where waiting in their room was a chilled bottle of sparkling English wine, Sussex chocolates and a dozen red roses. At this point we left our clients in peace to enjoy their stay, 4 course meal and all the comforts offered by Newick Park Hotel.

Our next vineyard extravaganza weekend is an Easter Weekend English Wine Tour set at Pelham House in Lewes, coupled with a half day vineyard tour on the Saturday afternoon followed by an afternoon at Plumpton Races. To book this experience call up Pelham House in Lewes - 01273 488 600, or check our website - www.englishvinetours.co.uk

In the meantime there's still places left on the White Clover One Day Wine Tour to an East Sussex and a Kent Vineyard on Saturday 28th February 09.

Follow the path from grape to glass and book your English vine tour today!

5 Activities Involving English Wine

We're busy working on our schedule for special day wine tour experiences. We've decided to list our best 5 and would love some feedback as to which one is the most appealing.

1. English Wine Tour & Golf Day/Weekend - tour and taste the wine at an English vineyard, followed by lunch and a round of golf.
   
2. English Vineyard Walks & Trails - walk amoungst the vines, taste the wine and walk onto another vineyard. We'll take any purchases back to the central meeting point for you.
3. English Vineyard Tour & Art Workshops - tour and taste the wine, have lunch and spend an afternoon amongst the vines painting guided by a professional artist.
4. English Wine Tour & Helicopter Rides - instead of taking the mini-bus, drop down into the vineyard for a wine tasting via a helicopter.
5. English Vineyard Tour & Horse Racing - tour the vineyard, have lunch and spend the afternoon at the races for a flutter - £5 tote voucher included.

Email us with your feedback and suggestions