Our Super Six Selection to help you eat, drink and be merry this summer!
Together with Wine GB, vineyards, suppliers and local British businesses, Buy Britain is celebrating English Wine Week from the 19th to the 27th of June.
This particular week also encompasses Father’s Day on Sunday 20th and the official start of summer with the summer solstice on Monday 21st of June. We are also all continuing along the road out of lockdown and starting to be able to enjoy meeting up with friends and family.
That sounds like plenty of reasons to open a bottle or two and discover a bit more about English wine. So we’re highlighting a super six selection of fabulous English wines, together with some tips on pairing food with wine to help you eat, drink and be merry.
There are a lot of myths about the rights and wrongs of pairing food with wine. While there are some known interactions that can occur between certain food and wine types, at the end of the day it all boils down to personal likes and dislikes. Basically if you like it, it’s right!
So, it’s a bit of a balancing act, we want the wine and the food to compliment each other without one overpowering the other. With the wines we are highlighting today, we are giving some basic pointers on food pairings and recipe ideas (underlined links) – the aim being to bring out the best in the wine and the food.
Oxney Sparkling Rosé, Oxney Organic Estate, East Sussex.
This sparkling organic wine, is a taste of British summertime. Pop the cork for a celebration. It is ideal for a light fish starter, finger food or for serving with fish, shellfish or chicken dishes. It is bright and fruity with delicate hints of strawberry, raspberry, pear, and apple with a recognisable toasty finish. A super simple food pairing would be thinly sliced smoked salmon with cracked black pepper on brown bread. Or perhaps lightly battered tempura prawns.
Simpsons Gravel Castle Chardonnay 2020, Simpsons Wine Estate, Elham Valley, Kent.
An un-oaked pure, crisp and zesty chardonnay with citrus aromas and flavours of apple, lemon, tropical fruit and buttered toast with a smooth finish. If you like fresh oysters, lobster or prawns then this is the one for you. Or you could pair the creamy texture with something like a baked cheese soufflé or cheese fondu.
Biddenden Ortega 2017, Biddenden Vineyard, Kent.
A semi aromatic, refreshing wine made from ortega grapes. A super popular, off dry, medium bodied wine with aromas of green apple, grapefruit and grass. It is fabulously fruity with a hint of lime and would suit lightly spiced dishes or simple seafood dishes. Perfect for a wine and cheese night due to the fruit sweetness.
Hidden Spring Bacchus Fumé 2019, East Sussex.
A still white made from 100% bacchus grapes. Aromas of vanilla, butterscotch, elderflower and apple. Very floral and delicate with flavours of grapefruit and peach. Pairs beautifully with salmon or grilled chicken and a simple salad or you could serve with homemade fish pie. Or pasta with a light cream sauce with asparagus, mange tout and peppers.
Chartham Pinot Noir 2018, Kent.
Pale crimson, silky and made from 100% pinot noir grapes. Flavours of cherry, cranberry and vanilla with a gentle spice. If you are having a summer get together in the garden, you could do no better than serving this with a platter of continental meats and salami combined with medium firm and delicate flavoured cheeses. Pinot Noir is very versatile – roast chicken, pasta dishes and salmon are all good choices.
Ashling Park Cuvée, West Sussex.
Brioche, apple, honey, citrus, white flowers are all in the aromas and echoed in the flavours. The classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Delicious and with ageing potential. Pair with canapés, seafood, salmon, chicken or soft cheese or perhaps be a bit wicked and serve with classic fish and chips.
So, that’s the round up of our super six selection. What more can we say? Take your pick and see which pairing of food with wine works for you! Happy English Wine Week from Buy Britain. Cheers, here’s to your good health and bottoms up!!
