With English wine week kicking of this Saturday 28 May, FOUR rambled to the vineyards of Hampshire to see what local wine producers, Danebury Vineyards, have in store. Situated near Stockbridge, Hampshire is a family-owned boutique wine estate, producing fine English wine for over twenty years. The family have chosen to focus on a limited production of superior quality wine.
Located the old paddocks of the former 19th century Stockbridge Racecourse,the seven acres of skilfully tended vines grow on a south facing slope, in a chalk and flint soil, producing sophisticated dry white wines of finely balanced acidity with fruit flavours.Danebury’s expert winemaker Vince Gower has been producing quality English wine for over 20 years.Vince is one of England’s first modern home grown wine makers, having won dozens of national and international awards, his skill is reflected in the quality of thewines. His approach entails minimal intervention, with the pressing, fermentation, transferring and filtering process carried out with the utmost care, ensuring the delicate nature of the juice is preserved and the character ‘terroir’ of Danebury Vineyard is fully expressed in the finished wine. Using only natural ingredients such as Bentonite clay for clarifying, Daneburywines are also suitable for vegetarians.
As a result Daneburywines are consistently winning awards at international wine tasting competitions, and can boasttop establishments in Hampshire and London, as well as select independent wine merchants, as their valuedcustomers.Danebury Vineyards are also founding members of the Vineyards of Hampshire group, a friendly marketing collective of the medal winning, commercial vineyards in Hampshire.
Vineyards of Hampshire
To celebrate English Wine Week Vineyards of Hampshire have got together and hired a Double Decker Bus to visit each vineyard, starting from the bottom of King Alfreds statue in Winchester and ambling its way across the Hampshire countryside stopping off at the beautiful vineyards of Jenkyn Place Vineyardsthen onto a picnic lunch at Hambledon Vineyards,near the home of cricket, finishing at the recent gold medal winning Exton Park Vineyards.
They hold an annual Vineyards of Hampshire wine festival in July, each vineyard taking it in turns to host the event.This year it is at Hattingley Valleynear Alresford, Hampshire. A wonderful tasting fair where over 14 sparkling wines are on show for tasting along with the best of Hampshire local cheese, charcuterie, bread, pies, ice cream available to buy, with winery tours and masterclasses.
Danebury ‘Cossack’ 2010 |Silver Medal, UKVA Vintage Sparkling Wine Competition 2015
Made from a blend of 95% Auxerrois Blanc (a cross between Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir sharing the ancestry of Chardonnay) and 5% Rulander grapes (a German synonym for Pinot Gris). It is crafted using the traditional bottle fermentation method and aged for approximately five years on its lees. A classically structured wine that lasts on the palate. Equally delightful to drink either on its own or with food.
“Behind the white flower fragrances on the nose, there is a depth of fruit and a mix of flavours, the palate has mid richness of greengage and pear. An underlying freshness lifts the fruit, racy and bright at the back with pink grapefruit and crisp apple the finish is citrusy and flinty.”
Disgorgement date: 12th April 2015 |Alcohol: 11.5% |Acidity: 6.6
On Line Stockists |The English Wine Shop