The Dentists do Wine

Wednesday 15th July, 2009. The weather looked over cast and there was a distinct possibility of rain! The West Terrace Posse where mustering in numbers, gathering at 8.45am outside their house for the enamellay challenged (aka - West Terrace Dental Practice).

The chiefs, Toby and Sam had arranged a half-day vineyard tour with a nice lunch as a group day out, team bonding or just a jolly to a vineyard?! The weather was holding, which I was glad about as Sam was wearing a decidedly (rich) blue light summery number with a lovely pair of matching sandals. Whilst a nice summer outfit indeed, not great for a muddy vineyard with lashing rain, so I quietly prayed to Bacchus, Dionysus and anyone else whom I thought would listen to me.
Having safely arrived, traversing the beautiful East Sussex countryside, the historic town of Battle, quaint Westfield we arrived at our vinous destination of Carr Taylor. Tea and coffee dispatched off we set to look at these things called vines. Rich green, and healthy looking the vineyards looked a picture of billowing green-ness and the prospect of a bumper harvest remains whispered but unspoken as not to tempt fate too much!

Viticulture (growing grapes) was far more interesting for most than I am sure they had expected and the trip into the actual winery where vinification (wine making) is explained was also educational for most. Thus the tour over, on with the wine tasting! We sampled at least 10 wines from Carr Taylor (Carr Taylor Vineyards, Westfield, East Sussex). Sparkling Rose, Sparkling Brut, still whites, still rose and fruit wines. Whilst not everyone enjoyed every wine, which is normal for a group of this size (14) they were enjoyed by most and opened up a whole new world of possibilities to another dedicated group of wine drinkers. Drink English, it's good for the planet!!

After a sumptuous Sussex Ploughman's Lunch, the group waded in with their boots, wallets and all and seriously raided the shop before departing. A really good day out for everyone was had.

Taylor & Shroff English Wine & Curry

Another great wine tasting event, presented by English Vine Tours to Healy's solicitors in Brighton. Many many thanks once again to Miss Victoria Reagan for organising the event, also present was the great John Healy himself and Spofforths Accountants.

The first part of the event was a fun blind wine tasting where certain similar wines were covered and all participants had to guess what was what. Most did well but once again the surprising outcome of this tasting was the overwhelming enjoyment of English Wines. We sneaked in a quality English Sparkling wine as well as a dry table wine and tasted them next to an own brand Cava as well as a New World Sauvignon Blanc.

The 2nd part of the evening was matching curry and spicy foods with wines. Whilst most wines tend not to match the great British curry, there is a new wine soon to be launched in the UK to change all this. Taylor & Shroff wines, produced by Carr Taylor in East Sussex, are currently only being offered into India. However they shall soon be available within the UK. Being stripped of tannins and high acidity the wines are part fortified giving them a higher alcohol level and residual sugars. Additionally blending into the base wines some fruit. Taylor & Shroff Ginger Wines, Apricot Wine, Red are three within the range that matched the hot and spicy foods amazingly well. Even the heat from the lime pickle disapated and the flavours opened up magnificently.

The initial hesitation was son left asunder as the wines were guzzled along with the Bombay Potato, Spiced Lentil, Naan Breads and chillies. An amazing success all round.

John & Vicky Enjoying Taylor & Shroff (wines for curry)

Whilst production of these superb and unique wines for the UK market place is not as yet in place, there is some stock for private consumption available from English Vine Tours at £11.95 a bottle. However we hope that we can start to get them placed in all our favourite Indian restaurants towards the end of April-ish! Once again many thanks to all at Healy’s, especially Anita who was a start throughout!

English Wines For Weddings

A few of our more affordable English wine favourites that would go down really well at any function including weddings...ahhh this makes me crave the warmth of a typical English sunny afternoons :)

Carr Taylor Vineyards, Battle East Sussex
Carr Taylor 1066 Off-Dry Aromatic White @ £5.99
Carr Taylor Alexis Dry White - £6.99
Carr Tayor Dry Rose - £7.49
Carr Taylor Sparkling Brut - £11.95
Prices quoted from their website. Orders can be placed at Carr Taylor's online store.

Sedlescombe Organic Vineards, Cripps Corner East Sussex
Sedlescombe Dry White - £9.95
Sedlescombe Organic Rose - £9.95
Sedlescombe Sparkling Bodium Brut - £17.95
NB Sedlescombe Organic are doing a great wedding offer: 20% off on 60+ bottles ordered - bargain! Orders can be placed online at Sedlescombe Organic's Online Store

For an another amazing English sparkling wine alternative to Champagne try
Breaky Bottom Brut (famously served at the G8 summit held at Gleneagles) - £18.95

For more tasting notes check out our 'Organic English Wine' Blog and 'Recommended English Wine & Tasting Notes' on our website.