Kent – The Garden of England
Vineyards in Kent
The county of Kent lies immediately south east of London and at its furthest south- easterly point is just 21 miles across the English Channel to neighbouring France. When the writer, Charles Dickens, spoke of Kent, in his first novel; “The Pickwick Papers”, he said “Kent, Sir, everybody knows Kent – apples, cherries, hops and women” Perhaps, had he written some 150 years later, he might have added ‘vineyards’ to his list, maybe at the expense of the ‘women’!
Today cherries are a part of Kentish summers, sold by the wayside and in markets throughout the county. Faversham is also home to The Shepherd Neame Brewery, Britain’s oldest brewer, established in 1698. Great fun for brewery tours and tastings.
Previously, ale was produced with a herb mixture, called ‘gruit’ and this was for the most part under licence to the Roman Catholic monasteries. As migrants from the Low Countries, fleeing from religious persecution, settled in the county, they preferred their own tradition of making beer with hops, and so it was that Protestant merchants who instigated this phenomenon which really took off from around 1540 after King Henry V111 dissolved the monasteries. We see evidence of these times not just in our rural landscapes but in the architecture of our towns and cities.
Oast Houses are still a feature of rural Kentish landscape, many converted to private dwellings, and the hop harvest continues throughout the county at the end of August, with many Kentish homes wearing a fresh hop garland to bring good fortune throughout the year. Hop and Beer Festivals abound with street music and dancing and each year there is a ‘blessing of the hops’ service at Canterbury Cathedral.
Whilst wine production was known through subsequent centuries, there was no viticulture or wine making on a commercial basis during the first half of the 20th century. Here in Kent, a Research Scientist named Edward Hyams established a vineyard in 1951 to research modern varieties. His success, and that of other pioneers can be seen in the rapidly increasing number of Vineyards in the ‘80’s and early ‘90s. Now the Kent Downs is fast becoming the Sparkling Wine capital for the country and home to many premium quality English wines.
Biddenden Vineyard, established in 1969 is proud to be Kent’s original vineyard, and today the single estate vineyard spans 23 acres of gentle south facing slopes situated in a sheltered valley, just outside the picturesque Wealden village of Biddenden. 11 different grape varieties are grown there to produce an array of award-winning White, Rosé, Red and Sparkling English wines. They also produce ciders and juices. I do love a glass of Biddenden Dry Cider
Chapel Down Vineyard, based in Small Hythe near Tenterden claims to be England's leading winemaker and one of the UK's most exciting drinks companies. They produce a range of world-class, award winning sparkling and still wines along with stunning gins and vodka. I have to confess that Chapel Down Flint Dry White Wine is my absolute favourite glass of wine!
I recently discovered Oxney Estate, the largest producer of English Organic wines, based near to Rye in East Sussex. There was a glass of sparkling Rose I particularly enjoyed.
When 10,000 bottles of Balfour Brut Rosé, made from the first harvest in 2004, won a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge in 2007, the Hush Heath Estate was officially on the wine map and there was no turning back. An exciting journey to create England’s finest wine had begun, and today, they are very proud to tell us that their Balfour Brut Rosé was the first English Sparkling wine to be served in BA First Class and was the official English wine of the London 2012 Olympic games.
All of these vineyards offer wine-tasting and experiences which can be part of a South East England Tour, even in my own Parish where Barnsole Vineyard tells us "Across the verdant flats from Barnsole stand the mighty walls of the Roman fort of Richborough. It is here, in the Garden of England, that the first Pinot Noir vines arrived with the Legions in 44 a.d. Barnsole perpetuates this viticultural tradition of two millennia by growing Pinot Noir, along with other grape varieties, to make quintessential English wines" Well there is a tradition of which to be proud !
Kent’s south-facing chalky soil and the mild climate provide the perfect conditions for the wine growing industry similar to Champagne in France. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc all thrive in these conditions. Indeed, Champagne Taittinger is the first big Champagne House to establish a vineyard in the UK to make Premium English Sparkling Wine. The Domaine Evremond Vineyard is a joint venture between Champagne Taittinger and its UK Agency; Hatch Mansfield Ltd. Plans are in hand to create a world-leading winery, set to produce 400,000 bottles a year, in the countryside near Chilham between Ashford and Canterbury.
So, The Garden of England, with its long coastline, fishing and oyster industries, celebrated Romney Marsh lamb, farmers markets with Game and Cheese Production together with wines, beer or cider on hand has much to offer visitors coming to enjoy ‘foodie tours’ and a taste of Kent.
Travelling in Kent or Sussex ? A Day out of London ? - A Shore Excursion ? Please contact Creativity Travel to discuss a bespoke tour in Kent or Sussex, with your friendly local, professional Blue Badge Guide. Wine Tasting and Sampling, whilst exploring some of the most beautiful countryside in England, can be part of your exclusive guided tour in this little corner of South East England. We look forward to hearing from you and enjoying a Taste of England with you. Give Yvonne Leach a call to start the ball rolling !
Yvonne Leach and her colleagues are professional tourist guides who are fully conversant with, and qualified to guide in South East England
