ENGLISH VINEYARD EXPLORATIONS

SYLVIA WU

For UK-based wine lovers who are still nervous about international travel (myself included), short trips to English vineyards can make a surprisingly exciting weekend break. You wouldn’t expect to see alpacas when visiting an English vineyard, but there they were – all nine of them, quietly munching nuts and grain under the Essex sun near Bardfield Vineyard’s Grade I listed brick and tile barn. Built by Anne of Cleves following the annulment of her marriage to King Henry VIII, it is now a popular wedding venue. The estate’s first Bacchus vines were planted in 1989, and its Bacchus 2018 (£13 greatlodge.co.uk) has a green apple nose and the variety’s signature palate of minty herbs, gooseberry and green fruits with a touch of ripe peach. Thanks to a warm year, the wine tastes slightly warming and spicy on the finish, adding charm to the summery white. Participating in a tasting of vins clairs (the base wine for sparkling wine) prior to bottling, without travelling to northeast France, is another fascinating experience – and even more so in England’s oldest commercial vineyard, Hambledon Vineyard (hambledonvineyard.co.uk). We also had a sneak preview of the Hampshire estate’s Première Cuvée Rosé (set for release this autumn), a Meunier-driven NV blend based on the 2016 vintage. The saignée method and extended lees ageing built up a leesy, savoury nose of wheat cracker and undertones of bright raspberry, plus a pinch of sweet spices, textured and white pepper-spiced: lipsmacking, and an absolute delight.