White Clover English Vineyard Experience

March 28th, a lovely day out in the heart of Sussex and Kent. A nice group had gathered for this superb tour, at Pelham House in Lewes for their pre-vineyard experience croissant and coffee. Amongst the group was Simon Majumdar of Dos Hermanos, the world's biggest food blog, we were honored.

Carr Taylor Vineyards are set in rural East Sussex just past the historic town of Battle, 1066 and all that. Established by David and Linda Carr Taylor in the late 60's they were the first to win Gold in France, beating the French at their own game. Since then they have gone from strength to strength and continue to produce great Sparkling wine, still white wine and a range of superb fruit wines.

Despite the threat of rain and occassional drop we ventured into the vineyard to get a close look at the vines. Although not much to see as yet, some early buds are showing after the winter prune, it is these small harmless looking buds that lay the foundations of this year's crop of grapes and resultant wines. After the vineyard and winery tour we ventured upstairs into the tasting room where we sampled no less than 6 wines including some great fruit wines. The tasting was fun, informative and tasty!

From East Sussex we ventured into Kent, just past the lovely town of Tenderden onto Biddenden Vineyards. Again another family set up established in the late 60's who actually lay claim to producing some the best ciders in the UK. We were only just into the vineyards when the heavens opened and like frightened rabbits we scampered back to the shelter and sanctuary of the tasting rooms. The wines are quaffable and of a good standard although it has to be said that where Biddenden do excell is with their ciders, which were sampled in full!

We ventured home, back to Lewes in the afternoon, many fell asleep in a pleasant wine filled slumber. Decanted and laiden with their complimentary bottle of wine as well as vineyard purchases all went on their merry way home.

Vineyard Escapades Forth Coming - Easter Weekend, two half day experiences which include an afternoon at Carr Taylor, Saturday 11th April and Easter Sunday at Plumpton Race Course for a superb trip to the gee-gees. In May we are promoting 3 unique experiences in promotion of English Wine Week and these can be viewed online at www.englishvinetours.co.uk

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.

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!