Chapel Down

Chapel Down located on the edge of the South Downs, is one of England's leading winemaker and drinks companies producing a world-class range of sparkling and still wines, gin and vodka together with the award-winning range of beers & cider. They supply British chefs Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver plus The Royal Opera House, The London Symphony Orchestra, the Turner Contemporary, 10 Downing Street, and at the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Races. They own The Swan Restaurant, a two AA Rosette and Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant specialising in modern British cuisine and locally sourced seasonal produce, which makes a lovely option after a vineyard visit. They also have have a deli selling local produce, and a tasting room.

Biddenden

Biddenden Vineyards, this year celebrating its 50th anniversary and clearly not chasing the Champagne dream. With its flower-filled hanging baskets and cider fermenting away in outdoor tanks next to the winery, it offers a more traditional experience, as visitors enjoy a glass of surprisingly good dry Ortega, and Gribble Bridge fizz made mostly with Reichensteiner

Grapes

English sparkling wines are made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Précoce, Pinot Meunier Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Seyval Blanc and Reichensteiner. These varieties reach full phenolic ripeness at moderate sugar levels and with high acid levels. Wines from this PDO are made entirely from must containing only natural acid and exhibit stronger aromatic flavours of the underlying grape varieties than wines from the same varieties grown at warmer latitudes. Long daylight hours and longer growing season leading to strong flavors and moderate temperature leading to high acidity and low pH.

Terroir

The chalk soils of Kent are well suited for growing the grapes used to produce sparkling wine, and particularly on south-facing slopes, where the climate in recent years is warm enough and resembles the Champagne region.

History

The Romans introduced winemaking to England, and over 40 vineyards in England were mentioned in the Domesday Book. Most of the production was to make communion wine. During the period of Henry VIII, 139 vineyards were recorded before the next important development in in the mid 17th century, with a paper on the subject of secondary fermentation in the bottle by scientist Christopher Merret and the development of stronger glass for wine bottles, which could withstand the pressure created by the 2nd fermentation. Winemaking grounded to a halt with the the First World War when food production became the priority until the 70s with warmer temperatures and focus German grape varieties. In 1984 Kent Winery Carr Taylor was the first commercial vineyard in England, to produce traditional method sparkling wines, however using Reichensteiner and Schönburger, grapes. By 2004, English sparkling wines have been awarded more and more top ten positions in front of Champagne. It is not surprising Champagne Taittinger and Champagne Pommery purchased vineyards in South England.

Kent Wine Adventures

Kent is the Garden of England and home to amazing castles, gardens, Canterbury Cathedral, and some of the best vineyards in England. We can organize any variation of visits and overnight stays according to your interests. You can spend the first or last day visiting Windsor Castle, Hampton Court or Chartwell House.

Multi Region Journeys