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Wines of the week: Three home grown whites
Wines perfect for drinking this time of year to celebrate English Wine Week
English still wines have finally begun to match the excellence of our sparkling wines, using grapes that work well in our climate and soils. So, to mark English Wine Week, here are three home grown whites, perfect for drinking at this time of year….
Stopham Estate Pinot Blanc 2013
From a small, relatively new vineyard on the South Downs in west Sussex, medium bodied, elegant with notes of grapefruit, honeydew melon and some green vegetal touches, cut through with gorgeous freshness. Excellent with crustacea and goats cheese.
£14.99 WaitroseCellar ; £15.00 Marks and Spencers; stophamvineyard.co.uk
Denbies Pinot Gris 2014
Founded in 1986, Denbies, near Dorking in the North Downs, is the biggest and most well established English vineyard, with a wide range of wines. This is one of their best yet – rich and full bodied, with flavours of citrus and honeysuckle, a long, dry finish. Drink with white fish dishes, such as cod wrapped in pancetta.
£16.00 Marks and Spencers; £16.95 denbies.co.uk
New Hall Bacchus 2014 Reserve
New Hall, in Essex, was one of the first wave of post-war English vineyards, using German varietals like Bacchus and this is a fine example of how the grape can work well in domestic conditions – crisp, light and ethereal, with delicate grassy and elderflower flavours, with hints of lime and green apples. A lovely aperitif or lighter spring dishes like asparagus or crab salad.
£9.68 strictlywine.co.uk; £10.99 corkingwines.co.uk (both minimum order 6 bottles) £13.99 selfridges.com
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