The Best Beer to Drink this Summer

As the summer pushes out one more month, we’re breaking down some of our favourite beers (some of which are a little strange) to drink on those warm sunny days. There’s even some non-alcoholic beer on the list, which is definitely worth checking out!

Corona Extra

Undoubtedly the beer of the last one and a half years, Corona has become even more of a hit with thousands of people enjoying the ice cold irony of the name topped with a lime wedge. While brilliant straight out of the ice bucket with lime, we’re loving the Corona cocktails popping up all over the internet. Our personal favourite is the ‘Corona Sunrise’, which can be made in the bottle using tequila, orange juice, grenadine and lime juice and turns the beer a punchy grapefruit colour. Since we can’t go to Mexico, let’s make Mexico come to us!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.5%
Find here: UK £12.60 for 12 // US $16.99 for 12

Snake Venom Beer

Are you looking for a challenge this summer? How about a 67.5% beer challenge? No, we haven’t put the decimal point in the wrong place - Scottish brewery Brewmeister’s ‘Snake Venom’ is officially the world’s strongest beer at 67.5% ABV, which is more than most vodkas! This beer isn’t meant to be chugged, however, as a bright yellow warning tag recommends you take it in 35ml portions. Even still, it’s an impressive feat and the beer is so alcoholic that it can’t carbonate! This one of a kind beer does come with a bit of a price tag, but then again, extracting venom from snakes is tricky work!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 67.5% (WOW)
Find here: UK £39.99 (on offer) // US $69.51

Damm Inedit Beer

From the packaging, this beer looks more like an expensive champagne than a Spanish wheat beer. It’s Estrella’s luxury makeover that happens halfway through the movie, Inedit’s gorgeous golden colour encased in a glossy dark bottle. Created by one of Spain’s top chefs, Ferran Adrià and a team of sommeliers, Inedit is flavoured with spices that create a complex aroma and expertly pair with many dishes. Whether sour, salty, bitter, spicy or buttery, Inedit compliments whatever you’re cooking with style and flair. While it may be an older creation, it is a luxury beer not to be missed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 4.8%
Find here: UK £4.89 // US Price differs, find your nearest supplier here.

Brewdog Punk AF (AF for alcohol-free, not AF for as f-)

Being teetotal in summer isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially when it seems everyone is out having a tipple in the sun. However, Brewdog has knee slid onto the scene with their new Punk AF beer and is making not drinking pretty damn sexy. Full of tropical flavours and pine but still tasting like beer, Punk AF is rocking our world with its funky houndstooth can. Never again fear feeling not cool when you’re not drinking - Punk AF is here. And it’s cool.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0-0.5%
Find here: UK £4.00 for 4 // US $7.99 for 4

BONUS BEER: Brains’ Bayside

This beer has been placed in its own special section as it might be a bit tricky to find at the moment, but is still worth the mention. Bayside Lager is Welsh Brewery Brains’ newest addition to their line of Welsh beers and is currently only available on tap at their pubs and B&Bs across Wales (sad face). If you do find yourself in a Brains pub, run to the bar and grab a pint (or three) of this crisp, light and very drinkable lager - it’s a perfect summer drink and a true tribute to Welsh living.

ABV: 4.3%
Find here: Available at Brains pubs and B&Bs. Find your nearest here.

Seen any summery beers you think we’d like? Give us a buzz on our social media channels at @thethreedrinkers - we can’t wait to hear from you. If you fancy drinking up some more delicious beer goodness on our website, then head over to our beer page for lots of more beer-iliant articles now!

The Top Celebrity Owned Tequilas

Tequila is, finally, becoming a more and more popular drink to enjoy on a night out. The image of salt and lime chasers is thankfully becoming a thing of the past as more people are getting wise to the fact that there are some exceptional sipping Tequilas out there to be enjoyed neat, in highballs or in fancier cocktails. It’s so popular in fact that we are also now seeing celebrities create their own tequila brands just as we have done with wine! From George Clooney (swoon - don’t judge) to The Rock, here is a list of the celebrity tequila you can get your hands on.

Sauza 901

The story goes that the celebrity behind Sauza 901, Justin Timberlake, first became interested in creating his own tequila after seeing the craftsmanship, culture and tradition that goes into cultivating fine tequila on a road trip to Jalisco, Mexico. This then saw the birth of his 901 tequila, which is now known as Sauza 901. Justin may be best known for his music but we have to say that with its piquant, fiery scent and delicious smoothness on the tongue, this is one tequila well worth a try!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: Currently out of stock :(

Próspero

Another singer to dip their toes into the world of tequila is Rita Ora, who has joined forces with master distiller Stella Anguiano to create Próspero. This tequila is available in three styles: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. The Blanco is quite different from standard, un-aged tequila with its vibrant bouquet of dried and fresh floral aromas, which lead seamlessly through to the agave notes and and spice. This would be great tequila in a cocktail as it has enough character to shine through.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £40.95 // US $40.99
Reposado UK £45.45 // US $46.79
Añejo UK £51.99 // US $52.99

Casamigos  

Be still our beating hearts (and that goes for Aidy’s too) as we introduce the celebrity behind this next tequila: George Clooney! Partnering with his good friend Rande Gerber and their business partner Mike Meldman in 2013 to create Casamigos, Clooney’s brand has since become so popular that by the end of 2020, it hit the million case sales a year milestone! Little wonder when you taste the three versions; there’s the refreshing Blanco with its subtle hint of agave, a Reposado with notes of caramel, buttery vanilla and delicate oak spice and an Añejo, which is a gorgeous tequila brimming with toffee penny, roasted agave, dark chocolate and sweetly spiced oak notes. Every single sip tastes like Christmas!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £50.00 // US $41.99
Reposado UK £57.49 // US $83.99
Añejo UK £62.99 // US $59.99

818 Tequila

Founded by model and ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ star Kendall Jenner, 818 Tequila was first launched in May this year and has since been rolled out across various states in the US (sorry UK!). So, if you are lucky enough to live stateside then you have a choice between the Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, which have racked up a combined total of 16 tasting awards between themselves already! We haven’t tasted this yet but if you have, get in touch and let us know what you thought.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco $42.99
Reposado $52.99
Añejo $69.99

Teremana

Teremana tequila, the brainchild of film star Dwayne Johnson aka ‘The Rock’, was launched at the beginning of this year after multiple exciting social media teasers. There are Blanco and Reposado styles available, the former being described as having notes of bright citrus with a fresh finish and the latter as having notes of oak and vanilla with a smooth, rich finish. Much like 818 Tequila, this too is only available in the USA right now but hopefully, it won’t be too long before everyone else can get sipping on it too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £47.99 // US $29.99
Reposado UK £47.69 // US $34.99

For more tequila deliciousness make sure you check out The World’s Best Sipping Tequilas and The 6 Tequilas You Need in Your Life Right Now!

The Best Scotch Whisky to Try This Year

Words by Colin Hampden-White

I find the days of the year which celebrate a particular spirit very useful. It allows one to contemplate the year gone by and what we have drunk. I particularly like international Scotch day as it goes one step further. Beyond the world of whisky (or Whiskey), international Scotch day makes me concentrate on the whiskies which first captured my imagination and spawned decades of pleasure in whisky. Scotch was my first love, and although there are many great whiskies around the world. Scotch still amazes me with its breadth of style and flavour.

Over the last year, my journey through Scotch has been pretty epic. I have tasted some superb very young whisky from new distilleries with great sustainable programs, to old and venerable whiskies which have passed their 50th birthday, and even their 60th in some cases!

I’d like to share the highlights with you, and should you ever get the chance to taste the following drams, I’d jump at the chance.

Nc’nean

The very first batch from newcomers Nc’Nean. Made from organic barley with a long fermentation, matured in three different cask types, and having a bottle completely made of recycled materials, this whisky really hit the mark. Ripe apricots and vanilla custard, oak spiciness and hints of lemon and orange give this whisky lots of character.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £46.95

Glenallachie 13 Wine Cask Finish Rioja

Under the new ownership of Billy Walker, Glenallachie has had some brilliant whiskies released. However, this 13 year old really stood out for me. The whisky was matured in ex-bourbon and extra matured for two years in Rioja wine barriques. These wine barriques gave a subtle summer berry flavour to the already honied whisky and the balance was fabulous. A very sophisticated whisky for its age.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48%
Find here: £62

Lagavulin 13 Feis Lle 2021

Matured in ex bourbon casks and finished in high charred Port seasoned casks, this whsiky was rich and refined for its age. Only 6000 bottles were produced, and the flavours included oily mineral notes, linseed oil and fragrant smoke. An intense whisky bottled at full strength.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 56.1%

Bladnoch 14

This was a surprise whisky for me. I have never really been a fan of Bladnoch. I’ve had some good ones, but many have been not very good. However, under new ownership this 14 year old 2021 has been released and it’s a cracker. Matured exclusively in ex Oloroso Sherry casks, it is full of fruit cake, dark chocolate and cinnamon flavours which add a great deal to the Bladnoch lowland fruity style.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.7%
Find here: £99

Fettercairn 16

Like Bladnoch, Fettercain in years gone by has been very overlooked. Now under the eye of blender Greg Glass, the whole range has been re-released, and smaller batches released within the regular line up. This 16 year old was made with a percentage of chocolate malt (heavily roasted malted barley), and is super sumptuous and rich with lots of sweet dark dried fruits and dark chocolate with a touch of spice and maltiness. This was so good that once I had finished my bottle and it sold out in the UK, I found one for sale in Europe and bought it.

Size: 1L
ABV: 46.4%
Find here: £103.25

That Boutique-y Whisky Company Inchmurrin 20 Year Old

This was batch 3 of Inchmurrin from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. Only 708 bottles where produced. With all the different style of whisky produced at the Loch Lomond distillery, there are different names ot the whisky. This style gives lots of marzipan and caramel aromas, sweet apples and gingerbread too. The palate brings in buttery notes and vanilla, soft spices and milk chocolate. Complex and very well balanced.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 51%

Glenburgie 1998 21 Year Old Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange

Distilled in 1998, this whisky was matured in a hogshead for 21 years with no finishing. Although bottled in 2019 I only tasted it in 2020 and loved it. With lots of tinned fruit and cocktail cherry aromas with a toasted oak, tropical fruit and brown sugar palate it was decadent and with a little water as waxy polish flavour came through which was particularly attractive.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 55.4%
Find here: £150

Ardbeg 25 Year Old

Whenever Ardbeg release a whisky with significant age there is always high expectation and a lot of excitement. With this 25 year old there was good reason to be excited. It was one of the best Ardbegs I had tasted in a long while. With the typical smoke still there, the intensity had be quelled with lots of tropical fruits and fine oaky flavours. Soft spices and white pepper come though on the finish. It’s a whisky to spend time getting to know as it changes in the glass and continues to develop with each sip.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find Here: US $1,199.99

Glenmorangie Sonoma Cutrer 25

This expression of Glenmorangie was a one off. There were only 1000 bottles produced and this age of whisky having been matured for fifteen years of its life in Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay barrels will never be released again. Seek out and taste if you can. It is a rich sumptuous whisky with confected fruits like wine gums, vanilla and soft spice. Complex oak and white chocolate with white pepper on the finish.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 55.7%

Jura 1989

This whisky is a great example of a single maturation with no finishing. It was matured in ex bourbon barrels for over 30 years and is very exotic with honeyed pears and ripe bananas. Vanilla holds everything together and soft spices like cinnamon and fresh apple hold the mid palate. Some sweet white chocolate lingers in the background and the finish is sweet. A great summer sipping whisky as the sun sets.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 53.5%
Find here: £650

The Glenturret Provenance 33 Year Old

This was the first release of the Trinity series and was a limited release of 320 lalique crystal decanters designed by Marc Larminaux. Now that is all very well, but the whisky also tastes as good as the bottle looks! With lots of dried fruits like raisins and sultanas with cherry red fruit and cinnamon the aromas are complex and rich. The palate brings dates and soft dried oak with a hint of fresh green apple. It is an elegant and refined whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43.7%
Find here: £9,800

Last Drop 50 Year Old Blend

This is a very complex whisky. Firstly, blended from over 50 different Scotch whiskies in 1995, and was then as a 30 year old married together in ex bourbon casks. A little of that original blend was held back and extra matured in Oloroso Sherry casks for 20 years! With only 898 bottles all coming with a 5cl miniature in a lovely leather case it made a great gift. It is an elegant whisky with cedar and lots of honey and a touch of sweet smoke on the nose. Red fruits and stewed autumn fruits like plumbs mix with cinnamon and dark chocolate and a little fennel. The finish has spice, waxy orange peel and a hint of aromatic oak.  

Size: 750ml
ABV: 51.8%
Find here: £2,990

Singleton 54 Paragon of Times II

The oldest Dufftown whisky I have ever tasted, and it didn’t disappoint. Having spent over half a century in European oak barrels since distillation in 1966 it was then finished in a single Pedro Ximenez cask. There were only 235 bottles made. This had all the hallmarks of an old whisky with furniture polish, dusty books and a little beeswax with sandal wood, but also fresh and baked fruit with apple and a touch of peach. The spices are complex but not too dry and the finish is incredibly long.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44.1%

Mr George 67 Years Old 1953 Legacy First Edition Gordon and MacPhail

Nearly the oldest whisky I tasted over the last year, but more on the oldest later. This whisky was certainly my most memorable. This was filled into a first fill Sherry butt on Christmas Eve 1953 and never left that cask until the 5th of January 2021. With a rich nose of dried fruits and manuka honey it is inviting. There is a soft smoke in the background. Higher notes of antique furniture polish and fresh meadow flowers keep it alive and interesting. The palate has cigar leaf as well as sweet leaf tobacco, some coffee and dark chocolate with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Nutmeg and sandalwood bring in the finish which is long with bitter chocolate and stem ginger finally finishing on dry but sweet oak.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 59.4%
Find here: £4,995

20 Whiskies That Changed The World, By The Whisky Exchange

Now, not all the whiskies in this tasting set are Scotch, but most of it is and it’s the best tasting set I have come across for learning and pleasure. From new world, to smoky. Islay and fruity highland whiskies. Blends and Blended malts. They are all there and are a great set of well-chosen drams to learn from or re-visit.

Size: 20 x 30ml
ABV: 45.4%
Find here: £160

I think it is always good to remember the whiskies one tastes over the year and having a day like International Scotch day helps to focus the mind and think back to some of the pleasures of the past year. 

Why Albariño from Rías Baixas is the Next Big Thing in White Wine

Celebrate Albariño Day on the 1st August!

Check out AlbarinoDay.co.uk for details of events and promos all around the UK.

We’ve seen various grape varieties take their place in the sun over the last few years especially in the UK market. With some, it’s because they are easy to say. With others, it’s because the wines from that region offer a clear, recognisable personality. Enter Albariño in this camp; the white wine grape taking the wine world by storm as consumers seek out whites with flavour and freshness as well as complexity and texture. Here’s everything you need to know about Spain’s flagship white wine grape from the country’s premium white wine region: Rías Baixas. 

The Mermaid of Wine Grapes

You know us and our penchant for describing grape varieties as personalities? Well in our minds, Albariño is the elegant mermaid of wine grapes, swimming in the stormy seas of Galicia. Imagine the scent of ripening lemons, wet granite rocks and sea spray as she calls us with her siren song, that pale and peachy complexion shining in the water. In a classic tasting note, Albariño is pale, dry, crisp and fresh with notes of lemon citrus, white peach and a cool, saline kick on the finish. 

Albariño from Rías Baixas 

The stunning region of Rías Baixas can be found on the southwestern coast of Galicia, which itself is located to the very northwest of Spain. It’s a beautiful location made up of lots of small fjords (known as rias) set out over four estuaries. Compared to the rest of Spain, Rías Baixas is particularly green thanks to its high rainfall and misty mornings. It does also however boast over 2,200 hours of sunshine per year, which together help vines produce healthy, ripe grapes. 

As a wine region, Rías Baixas comprises of five distinct subregions, which each offer subtle variations on the classic Albariño style thanks to differences in their geography, though there tends to be granite-heavy, mineral-rich soils throughout. These sub regions are Ribeira do Ulla, Val do Salnés, Soutomaior, Condado do Tea and O Rosal. You will currently see these on the label as Rías Baixas Salnés, Rías Baixas Condado and Rías Baixas Rosal only. If the wines are simply labelled ‘Rías Baixas Albariño’, it means they are made with 100% Albariño grapes from any sub-zone.

Unusual vines 

Due to the humidity in the region, vines are often planted up to seven feet high to allow air to circulate (thus preventing mildew) and helping the grapes to ripen evenly. The vines are supported by granite posts called ‘parras’ where they form canopies and the bunches are harvested in the Autumn by pickers from below.  If you drive around the region, you will see lots of small vineyards with these parras, all owned by single families. There is a long history of artisan families passing down their vines through the generations and this is why hand harvesting has also always been important as this is how it was always done. Combine this with the unique terroir in Rías Baixas and wines that so beautifully express their sense of place and you have real fine wines in your hands. 

More than just a white wine

Unusually for a Spanish wine region, 99% of all wines made in Rías Baixas are white and of these, 96% of the grapes used are Albariño! Of the remaining 4%, there are 13 other local grapes allowed in the DO; most of which are blended with Albariño, though you will occasionally see some of them standing alone. The most important ‘other’ grapes are Treixadura, Caiño Blanco, Torrontes, Loureiro and Godello. Red wine is made in Rías Baixas (Rías Baixas Tinto) but it’s rare at under 1%. Sparkling wines (Rías Baixas Espumoso) are also still very rare, but we are starting to see some well-known producers experimenting - and to great effect. 

Albariño wine style trends in Rías Baixas

Here’s the geeky part! Producers of Albariño in Rías Baixas have been experimenting over the last few years, finding ways to make their wines age for longer, to create more food friendly styles and generally put this grape through its paces to see what it is capable of. As a result, we are seeing producers try more maceration of the grapes with their skins before fermentation, which increases the aromatics and gives more structure. They're opting for native yeasts to kick off this ferment too as they've noticed that it gives the wine a more authentic, less generic flavour. In very ripe years, some barrel ageing (Rías Baixas Barrica) is now starting to be used to tone down the overt fruit and balance things up, offering a more robust texture. One particularly exciting development however, is seeing producers let the wine sit on its lees for longer (the dead yeast cells left after fermentation). This gives body, weight and structure to the wines and means they can age for a bit longer. It also means that these wines can take a bit more on the food matching front, from nutty cheese to creamy, chicken and rich fish dishes. 

What to eat with Albariño

Albariño was born by the sea so naturally, it should be a top choice for fish and seafood. The lighter, more zesty styles are great by themselves or make a fantastic aperitif with salmon blinis or fresh sheep cheese. The weightier, more lees-aged or barrel-aged wines can take some heavier textures and flavours, be that nuttier cheese or grilled, smoky flavours. Creamy pork and potato dishes work well here too. All in all, it’s a very versatile grape variety!

Try these Albariño Wines

We’re seeing more and more Albariño from Rías Baixas in the UK every year, with exports having increased by twenty five times in the last nine years alone. Many supermarkets now stock their own label Albariño wines as well as carrying key brands and more gastronomic styles of wines can also be found in independent shops, bars and restaurants. Here are some to try.

You & Me Albariño

With grapes harvested from Salnés Valley, which is the most northern and coolest subzone of Rías Baixas, this wine is perky and fresh with floral notes and a touch of peach. Very easy drinking.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £13.99

Serra da Estrela Albariño, Adegas Valmiñor 2020

Another refreshing Albariño with a touch more body and great salinity. Think peaches, lemon peel and white flowers. So pretty!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £13

Lagar de Cervera Albariño

A creamier, weightier drop this thanks to some extended lees ageing, making it a perfect match for food such as white fish and seafood. Grapes harvested in O Rosal and Condado.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14.99

Linar de Vides Albarino, Bodegas Coto Redondo

Another elegant white with the perfect balance of citrussy freshness and creamy texture. This is the wine to take home to meet the parents. A great all-rounder, with or without food.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14.99

For more wine content make sure you check out these articles next.

Vermouth and Tonic: Your New Go-To Summer Drink

Move over G&Ts – there’s a new summer cocktail staple in town, and it blends tonic with a less-likely partner: vermouth.

You might think it sounds unusual, but this mix is taking a leaf out of the book of long-established Italian aperitivo culture. These savoury drinks not only pair great with nibbles such as charcuterie, crisps or tapas; V&Ts pack big flavour minus the standard knee-wobbling alcoholic punch of gin (most vermouths, which are classified as an aromatized fortified wine, come in at around 15-18% ABV). That means you can enjoy a lighter, lower-alcohol drink that still tastes great, without the effects going straight to your head.

The good news, too, is that vermouth brands have been seriously upping their game – and there are some delicious new pours out there to try. Here’s our pick of the best vermouths for V&Ts, from dry whites to sweet reds. Happy summer drinking…

Azaline Saffron Vermouth

With its bold, distinct nose and flavour profile – heady saffron, fruity blackcurrant, earthy cardamom, bitter gentian – this newly launched French brand, produced by Dijon’s Gabriel Boudier (of Crème de Cassis fame) is exactly the kind of vermouth that shines when mixed with tonic. The idea is that it’s the flavours of the Silk Road, all laid over a base of cherried, Burgundian Pinot Noir. Compared to many red vermouths Azaline is on the drier side, which means it doesn’t taste overbearing even when paired with a sweeter tonic such as Fever-Tree. Bravo!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £24.95

Regal Rogue Daring Dry Vermouth

With all those fragrant botanicals vying for attention, sometimes it’s easy to forget vermouth is made with wine. That’s not the case with Regal Rogue. All four of its vermouths – which range from an extra-dry white to semi-dry white, red and rosé – let their Australian wine bases shine, whether that’s Chardonnay, Cabernet or organic Shiraz. They’re all tasty, but our favourite for V&T purposes is the Daring Dry, made with citrussy Sauvignon Blanc and white pepper, resinous juniper, thyme and olive leaf. Think of it as a complex, savoury white wine spritzer perfectly on-point for 2021.

Size: 50cl
ABV: 18%
Find here: £19.50

Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino

There are a lot of funky new vermouth start up brands out there – but Cocchi is not one of them. Smooth, silky and very gently medicinal, this Italian Vermouth di Torino has been made to the same recipe since 1891. And as the saying goes, why fix what ain’t broke? Whether you’re drinking it straight, mixing it into a Manhattan or lengthening it out with a V&T, this syrup-hued red vermouth is a stunner. The rooty, fruity and bright character from the combination of wormwood, rhubarb and citrus makes it delicious with a small slug of lighter, understated mixer – try, perhaps, London Essence’s Original Tonic.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 16%
Find here: UK £24.45 // US $19.99

La Quintinye Vermouth Royal Extra Dry

With a botanical roll-call of 27 different plants, this French white vermouth – made in the Charentais vineyard at Maison Villevert, and fortified with local Pineau des Charentes – is seriously complex. The Extra Dry is exceptional in a martini, but we also love it in a V&T where its floral, citrus and herbaceous notes can really shine. Fancy a bit more sweetness? The generous, stone-fruity palate of the Royal White is also a worthy partner for tonic. Fun fact: the vermouth is named after the botanist who was commissioned by King Louis XIV to create the epic kitchen gardens at the world-famous Palace of Versailles.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £21.45

Seven Sisters Dry White Vermouth

This Sussex-made vermouth is produced by Rathfinny Wine Estate, so you know real care has gone into the grapes – the winery even goes as far as distilling its own spirit using estate-grown bounty. Seven Sisters is rich and fruity-floral on the nose thanks to a base of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, but when you sip the palate is bone-dry – with savoury notes of bitter gentian, wormwood and angelica creeping in along with a zesty kick of pink grapefruit and bitter orange. This is a brilliant pick in a V&T for anyone who wants flavour but shies away from sweeter styles; you’ll get complexity and a rounded mouth-feel without losing out on taste.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £25

El Bandarra Vermut White

The bottle is, of course, fantastic. But even if it wasn’t such a looker we’d love this vermouth – fruity and gently spiced, with a creamy, rich undertone of vanilla custard. It’s made from white Garnacha and Xarel-lo grapes that have been infused with a whopping 40 botanicals, but despite that big flavour El Bandarra still feels delicate and light in the mouth, and comes in at a pretty low 15% ABV. It just goes to show the Spanish – who have been in the throes of a serious vermouth trend for several years now – really know what they’re doing when it comes to this fortified wine.

Size: 100cl
ABV: 15%
Find here: £22

Hotel Starlino Rosso

The USP of this Italian red vermouth? It’s aged in bourbon barrels, imparting a deep golden hue, honeyed character and spiced oak notes. It’s on the sweeter scale of vermouths, but if you’re into dry don’t let that put you off; use a light tonic such as Navas (or even a soda water) and you’ll lengthen out all that sweetness while still enjoying that tawny-esque flavour. Or sod the V&T and just sip it in a rock glass over a theatrically large ice cube.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: UK £19.84 // US $29.99

CUCIELO Vermouth Di Torino Rosso

CUCIELO makes two vermouths – one red, one white – and they’re both pretty knock-out in a V&T. The Rosso follows the classic style of Vermouth di Torino – complex, rich and fresh – but the company is firmly 21st-century when it comes to environment outlook. The plastic-free bottle is 100% recyclable, with even the Art Deco-style labelling being printed on natural cotton paper. We’d keep measures of tonic short with this one; just a splash is all you need, to pull out the orange, rhubarb and pomegranate notes of the vermouth and let it shine.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 16.8%
Find here: £22.70

Lustau

It’s sweet, it’s pink, it’s irresistible. Pink vermouth is a relatively new phenomenon and while it’s not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that on the right occasion (read: glorious sunshine) it can be dangerously drinkable. Lustau’s version is smooth, generous and balances fruitiness with a tawny-like savoury character to make it feel grown-up. We like it served with a slug of Double Dutch Indian Tonic – and, obviously, cloudless blue skies.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £18.95

Looking for more vermouth cocktail recipes? Then how about checking out our Cocchi Vermouth One Drink Three Ways article, or, if premixed cocktails are more up your street then have a look at these Perfectly Premixed Negronis!

The Best Irish Whiskey Distillery Tours

Wherever you stand on whiskey, gin, Poitín and other spirts, when heading to the Emerald Isle, a distillery visit is pretty much essential, especially with the exciting brands coming out of the country. Whether you’re making for cosmopolitan Dublin, busy Belfast or the rugged Wild Atlantic way, here are our picks of the best Irish distilleries you can currently visit.

Jameson Distillery Bow Street, Dublin

If you’re coming to Ireland to drink, you’ve got to come to Jameson. The world’s best-selling Irish whiskey has, as you might expect, a world-class tasting set up in Dublin to match its reputation. Visit the Bow Street distillery any day of the week for a 40-minute tour round the historic brick-fronted building, join 90-minute whiskey blending masterclass or to enjoy a cocktail-making session shaking up three Jameson-studded delights. They even serve drinks to go – the perfect aperitif ahead of a night on the town.

More info and booking details here.

Waterford Distillery, Waterford

Boutiquey distillery Waterford has set itself no small goal: it wants to produce the world’s most ‘unique, complex and profound whisky’ (yep, that’s spelled the Scottish way, without the ‘e’). On a tasting tour, find out what they’re doing to make the dream real – from the big stuff like a terroir-driven approach, featuring ‘single origin’ barley from a select few Irish farms, to the little things like their eye-catching, blue, glass bottles. The sessions are currently on ice due to covid, but keep eyes peeled on the website to find out when they return.

More info and booking details here.

Slane Whiskey, Co. Meath

It’s hard to beat this setting. Slane Whiskey is set on the rolling green estate of Slane Castle, a scenic pile on the River Boyne – a venue that’s also played host to Rolling Stones, U2 and Bruce Springsteen concerts. Ahead of a tasting in the Stalls Bar – the smooth triple-cask blend is all vanilla, butterscotch and baking spice notes – take a tour of the distillery. By the time you leave, you’ll know all about Slane’s sustainably grown estate barley, and its maturation in virgin oak, seasoned Tennessee whiskey and oloroso sherry barrels.

More info and booking details here.

Bushmills Distillery, Co. Offaly

With 400 years of history under its belt, this is the oldest licensed distillery on the planet – and another must-see for your list. Bushmills’s tour is a great introduction to whiskey-making in Ireland, too. As well as hearing about the production process, you’ll visit the towering copper stills, spy ageing barrels and sip two, free samples at the tasting bar. While you’re waiting for the tipples to wear off, have a poke around the gift shop and stock up on your favourite bottles.

More info and booking details here.

Kilbeggan Distillery, Co Westmeath

When this leading Irish distillery, set on river banks to the west of Dublin, was closed in the 1950s, its surrounding namesake town rallied together and bought it. These days, Kilbeggan is owned by Beam-Suntory, but it still retains a local charm with its stone-fronted walls and atmospheric barrel ageing rooms. The hospitality goes beyond paid-for tours; you can also join free daily demonstrations as experts shake up cocktails, brew Irish coffees or share tasting notes from a selection of whiskeys and other spirits, such as Ireland’s famed poitín (traditional Irish, distilled white spirit).

More info and booking details here.

Dingle Distillery, Co. Kerry

Dangling off Dingle, on the epic Wild Atlantic Way driving route, this is one of Ireland’s finest modern artisan distilleries. It’s only been producing since 2012, so it’s early days yet, and your visit will shed insight into the indie side of the whiskey-making and gin-making craft. While you’ll have to hold out for tours to restart (thanks, coronavirus), when they do you can expect them to run multiple times a day, and include a tasting of the distillery’s rowan berry-infused gin and creamy vodka. Bring along a designated driver, and you can pair it with a scenic drive along Ireland’s prettiest coastline.

More info and booking details here.

Clonakilty Distillery, Co. Cork

In the far reaches of Ireland’s south, family-owned Clonakilty is known for its maritime-influenced whiskies. Heritage barley is grown on its own farm and barrels are carefully aged in a coastal warehouse licked by sea-salted winds. Even though the distillery only opened to the public in 2018, it’s already quite the destination. There’s a shop, make-your-own-gin sessions and a restaurant called The Whale’s Tail, dishing up burgers and salt cod fishcakes. But best of all? They run evening tours, so you can go sipping right before your dinner.

More info and booking details here.

Tullamore Dew, Co. Offaly

Now here’s one to get excited about! Best-selling brand Tullamore Dew is getting a shiny new tasting experience, set to open this August in the Irish Midlands. Details are still thin on the ground – watch this space – but expect visits to feature plenty of pours of their honey-hued spirit made with all-Irish grain, and ranging from the smooth original bottling to quirky finishes in ex-cider and XO Caribbean rum casks.

More info and booking details here.

Pearse Lyons, Dublin

It’s not the setting you’d expect from a distillery squirrelled away inside a former church, but indie, family-owned Pearse Lyons in Dublin’s historic Liberties neighbourhood is exactly that, down to the stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings. Pews have been swapped for shiny copper stills and hourly tasting tours will take you through the history of the building, neighbouring graveyard and distillery. A food and whiskey pairing experience is on tap if you feel like an extra treat.

More info and booking details here.

Sliabh Liag, Co. Donegal

Here’s one to add to your watch list. Sliabh Liag Distillers, in the country’s far northwest, is County Donegal’s first legal distillery in 175 years. And when its new distillery opens this autumn in Ardara on Ireland’s scenic Wild Atlantic Way, you’ll be able to join tours taking you through the production history of Irish whiskey, gin and poitín. Of course, due to ageing requirements the whiskey won’t be ready for a while, but while you wait, sample Sliabh Liag’s sublime range of gins, infused with Irish seaweed.

More info and booking details here.

Looking for more places to visit? Then how about checking out The Best Scotch Whisky Distillery Tours or if it’s more whisky information you are after then you'll find plenty here!

The Best Rums for Summer

The sun is shining, the temperatures are climbing – it’s time to crack out the rum! Even if your holiday is in Britain this year, you can celebrate tropical-style with our pick of the best rums for summer…

Eminente Reserva 7 Year Old

Besides being slightly obsessed with that scaly bottle – an echo of the crocodile that slithers across the label – we also love this Cuban rum for its freshness. Made with 100% Cuban sugar cane, its rich tobacco, smoke and coffee notes are tempered by floral and cherry dancing across the palate. At the price point you’ll probably want to drink it neat, but if you’re feeling summer-festive, there’s no shame in mixing it into a very posh Dark ‘n’ Stormy or smooth rum-based Old Fashioned.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.3%
Find here: £43.95

Equiano Rum

Why make rum from one distillery when you can make it from two? Equiano is a classy meeting of Barbados’s Foursquare distillery and Gray’s in Mauritius. The former’s rum is aged in American white oak, the latter’s in French oak and Cognac casks, then they’re blended and aged in ex-bourbon casks. It’s a novel idea, with a deliciously distinct result: a marmalade, raspberry and caraway-noted rum, rich in chocolatey notes. It does more than just taste good, too; named after Olaudah Equiano, a freedom fighter involved in the abolition movement, the company donates 5% of annual profits towards equality projects.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £39.90

Havana Club Añejo 7 Years

The Cuban brand is a staple on UK shelves, so you’ve probably tried Havana Club’s entry-level white rum at some point. But if you’ve never sampled the Añejo 7 Years, it’s time to get involved – with its buttery, toffee, cigar box notes, it’s a complex pour meant for straight sipping rather than the usual mixing. We’re especially big fans of that creamy, rich finish, pretty darn impressive at the price point.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £25.45

Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

Hailing from Venezuela, this smooth sipper is made from a blend of exclusive rum reserves, aged for up to 12 years. We love the retro-styled bottle, but the liquid is pretty darn delicious too; think aromas of dark chocolate, toffee and liquorice, and a long fudgey finish on the palate. You could drink it on the rocks, but it also shines when mixed into classic cocktails – anyone for a rum-based Manhattan?

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

Don Papa Sherry Cask Finish Rum

This isn’t a spirit for just slugging into your rum and cokes – but you probably could tell that from the price. This crafted rum from Philippines-based rum brand Don Papa is designed for slow, meditative sipping. A whole lot of work has gone into it; it’s first aged for four years in ex-bourbon casks in the steamy foothills of Mount Kanlaon, then decanted into a range of sherry casks where it rests for 18 months before being blended and bottled. The result: tons of complexity and a deep, dark flavour – think rich chocolate, star anise, caramel and prunes, plus plenty more.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £69.50

Hattiers Premium Reserve Rum

A British-made rum? Well yes, kinda. Hattiers is produced by an indie rum blender in Devon – but using aged spirits hailing from throughout the Caribbean and South America. Soft Dartmoor water is used from blending the rums hailing from Guatemala, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Panama, and the result is a refined, sippable number with peach and cinnamon aromas, and a palate of stewed orchard fruit, spice and chocolate. It’s complex enough for rum fans, but approachable enough for newbies, too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.90

Mount Gay Eclipse

Mount Gay is synonymous with Barbados, and you can’t go to many places on this island without running into a golden glass of its rum. This, their classic bottling, is named after the ‘double phenomenon’ of a solar eclipse and the passing of Hailey’s comet in 1910 – though the distillery company itself dates back to 1703. When you’re after an entry-level rum with notes of honey, vanilla, tropical fruit and spice, this one’s a no-brainer. Perfect for cocktail-making sessions with friends.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £23.50

Blackwell Black Gold Fine Jamaican Rum

Ever heard of Island Records? It’s the music label home to superstars including Bob Marley – and it was founded by Chris Blackwell, the same man who created this Jamaican Rum. You might wonder how a music exec got into distilling, but Chris’s mother’s family once owned J. Wray & Nephew and the Appleton estate – so, arguably, it’s a natural fit. And his affordable Jamaican rum, made to a traditional recipe, is just what you need for a rum punch – spicy, oaky and caramelly, with tropical fruit hints.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27.15

Enjoyed reading this? Then how about checking out The Best Rums to Elevate Your Cocktails or 7 Rums That Scream Luxury?

Your Wine Travel Guide to Kent

Kent is a county in southeast England known colloquially as the Garden of England thanks to its historical importance for growing cereal crops, hops and fruit. With the increase in vineyard plantings however, things are changing quickly and Kent has already become one of the leading areas for top-quality wines in the UK. Below, we discuss why this is, give you the big names to look out for and suggest what else you can do while you’re there...

Despite evidence dating back to Roman times showing that winemaking practices have been common in England for over 2000 years, the buzz surrounding the exciting rise of English wine is actually pretty recent. The big success story here is sparkling wine made in the traditional method (now officially known over here as the ‘classic method’), with ‘new’ grape varieties i.e. Chardonnay. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier; the grape varieties famous for making the great sparkling wines of Champagne. Before this practice took off, Kent and the rest of England were working more with still wines made with the aromatic, Germanic varieties that did better in the cold, such as Madeleine Angevine, Rondo and Bacchus. 

Why is Kent wine doing so well?

So why the new grapes and the success with wine in Kent particularly? Fruit growing temperatures and conditions in Kent have always been excellent and the soils, particularly those under the North Downs in the north of the county, share the same chalk ridges as the famous region of Champagne in France. This discovery led to trialing out the Champagne grapes mentioned above and to great success. Climate change has also meant that in the right conditions, grapes are able to ripen just that little bit more than they used to, which makes all the difference for wine production. Add to this the modern techniques by winemakers who have travelled the world and improved disease control and you have a recipe for success - so much so that we are even seeing famous Champagne houses snapping up land, such as Domaine Evremond, owned by the Taittinger family, who have planted vines down in Faversham. 

There are now over fifty wineries in Kent alone and the area is quickly becoming a real destination for fine wine production and gastro tourism, the latter helped by the picture perfect villages, cottages, landscapes and oasthouses of the county. If you’ve seen the film ‘The Holiday’, you’ll know exactly what we mean. A group of these wineries have also got together to support each other and boost the reputation of Kent wine under the title ‘Wine Garden of England’. These are Biddenden, Gusbourne, Balfour at Hush Heath Estate, Chapel Down, Domaine Evremond, Simpsons and Squerryes. 

Beer and Spirits

Drinks lovers will also note that Kent also has a strong association with growing hops for beer and we can still see some of these oast houses dotted around the county, though they are more often used as posh housing nowadays. Distilleries are also popping up, with some offering some fantastic experience for visitors, such as Copper Rivet over in Chatham that offers distillery tours and tastings and also has a new cocktail bar and fine dining restaurant on site. 

Notable wineries of Kent

Of the fifty or so wineries dotted around the county, there are several that stand out. While these names will change over time with new ones being added regularly, these are the need-to-know producers currently making a splash and well worth a visit:

• Gusbourne

• Balfour at Hush Heath

• Simpsons

• Biddenden

• Woodchurch

• Herbert Hall

• Squerryes

• Chapel Down

• Mereworth

• Look out for Domaine Evremond too; the Taittinger family project, recently planted.

Gusbourne

Location: Appledore, Kent

Gusbourne and its head winemaker Charlie Holland have been turning heads all over the vinous world as their vintage sparkling wines gather inordinate amounts of awards. Even their first releases in 2006 (Gusbourne Brut Reserve and Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs), which were released in 2010, commanded attention immediately. Since then, the English wine world has watched in awe as the team crafts the vintages every year, adding new cuvées and styles to their repertoire. The winery now produces several white and rosé sparkling wines as well as an impressive range of still wines, each with their own personality. This is a real, fine wine producer of Kent.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours
Guided and self guided tours with wine tastings are available from £25 pp.

Food

While there is no restaurant or café at Gusbourne per se, picnics are available to buy and consume overlooking the stunning Boot Hill vineyard at the top of the estate. You can however, also pre book an extended tour and tasting which includes a 3 course lunch for £95pp or for something less formal, try the discovery tour, which involves a tasting and a casual lunch for £75 pp. Locals say to try the Ferry Inn in Oxney or The Woolpack Inn in Warehorne for great pub grub if the tasting lunches don’t work for you. Also, make sure you pay a visit to Miss Mollett's High Class Tea Rooms in Appledore if you’re staying there. 

Accommodation

None on site but there are several very pretty Air BnBs down the road in Appledore, about 30 mins walk away through the vines.

Kiddie friendly: No. 
Dog friendly: Yes outside, or possibly inside if clean and very well behaved. 

Address: Kenardington Rd, Appledore, Ashford TN26 2BE
Tel: +44 (0)1233 758666
Website

Balfour at Hush Heath Estate 

Location: Near Stapleford, Kent

The 16th century Hush Heath manor is the home to Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn who acquired the 400 acre estate that surrounds it in 2001 after it came up unexpectedly in an auction. The couple had the foresight to plant grape vines alongside some of the apple trees and now, twenty years later, they are producing award-winning sparkling and still wines alongside their beers and high class ciders that are made just like their fizz. With their new terrace called ‘The View’ and its sweeping views across the estate, it’s a lovely spot for a tasting with a sharing platter. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

At Hush Heath, you can do simple guided and self-guided walks around the estate culminating in a tasting or you can upgrade the offering to include sharing platters at The View. They offer several types of other experiences, including self-tutored tastings, masterclasses, wine and dine experiences and corporate and private events where they pick you up from the station!

Food

There’s no restaurant or café at Hush Heath as such, but sharing platters of cold cuts, cheeses and other local products are available on the day.  

Accommodation

The Balfour family own several gastro pubs with rooms in the area (and elsewhere), the closest of which is the Goudhurst Inn five minutes drive away. They also own the Tickled Trout in Farleigh, the Woolpack on Tenterden high street, the Ship Inn in Rye and The Windmill in Hollingbourne, all a bit further away. 

Kiddie Friendly: Yes on the terrace and in The View. Under 10’s are not permitted on the winery tour.

Address: Hush Heath Estate, Five Oak Ln, Staplehurst, Tonbridge TN12 0HT
Tel: +44 (0)1622 832794
Website

Simpsons English Wine Estate

Location: Canterbury

Run by veteran winemaking couple Charles and Ruth Simpson, this estate is tucked away on the chalky slopes of the North Downs, sheltered from the weather by stunning English woodland. A relative newcomer on the English winemaking scene, Simpson’s first wine releases of traditional method sparkling wines in their sleek, dark packaging impressed from the off and they’ve gone on to produce some serious still wines too from the same Champagne grapes, including one that’s, unusually, made from 100% Pinot Meunier. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Simpsons offer weekday and weekend tours and tastings as well as sought-after, Friday Sunset Sessions with food platter.

Food

No restaurant or café, but platters are available on the Friday sunset sessions. 

Address: The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB
Tel: +44 (0) 1227 832200
Website

Biddenden Vineyards

Location: Biddenden

Biddenden is Kent’s original vineyard, dating back to 1969 when the first vines were planted on the Barnes family’s orchard farm. Unlike many of the other new wineries in Kent, Biddenden doesn’t just focus on the three Champagne grapes for its wine but celebrates eleven different grape varieties, including what we could now call the ‘heritage’ English grapes such as Bacchus, Ortega and Huxelrebe. A true location for quintessentially Kentish produce, Biddenden also produces cider, juices and sells a range of local produce. If you want to know Kentish wine, you should start here. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Self guided tours and wine tastings are available 7 days a week and group bookings for up to six people are available Weds-Sat. 

Shop

As well as wine, cider, beer and gin, Biddenden has a shop that stocks a wide range of local and regional products and snacks, such as cheese, meats and condiments from independent and artisan producers.

Address: Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, Kent. TN27 8DF.
Tel: +44 (0)1580 291726
Website

Woodchurch

Location: Woodchurch

Woodchurch is a relatively new, family-owned winery located on the edge of the picturesque village of Woodchurch in Kent, overlooking the ancient Romney marsh down to the English channel. Established in 2009, their vision is to create some of the world’s finest sparkling wines with a hand-made approach in their state-of-the-art winery and minimal intervention.

On Site Experiences

The cellar door shop and new terrace bar are now open again and they serve wines by the glass with some free tastings. There’s no need to book ahead for this. 

Tastings & Tours

Guided tours with four wines are available for £20 per person, lasting about an hour and a half.

Food

Cheese and Charcuterie boards are available too, 11am - 4pm but it’s wise to pre-order. 

Address: Susan's Hill, Woodchurch, Ashford TN26 3RE
Tel: 01233 860276
Website

Herbert Hall

Location: Marden Tonbridge

Herbert Hall is the name of a colourful character who was also a tenant farmer who arrived in the village of Marden at the end of the 19th century and worked on the ten-acre site to the west of the village. On the estate, he grew hops, apples, pears and plums and his farm has remained in the Hall family for three generations. It was in 2007 however that his great grandson, the now winemaker Nicholas Hall, chose Herbert’s original site to plant a vineyard with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Today, with fellow winemaker Kirsty Smith, he now produces vintage, English Sparkling Wines with a focus on organic viticulture and meticulous fruit selection.

On Site Experiences

Tastings, Tours & Food

The Herbert Hall bar is open on Saturdays 12pm-8pm and Sundays 12-6pm during the summer, but is currently weather dependent. The bar also serves beers, cider and soft drinks, as well as still wines, their own sparkling wines, and charcuterie and cheeses.

Address: Poultry Farm, Plain Rd, Marden, Tonbridge TN12 9LS
Website

Squerryes

Location: Westerham, Kent

The Warde family motto, which can be seen above the door at Squerryes Court, reads ’Licet Esse Beatis’, which means: ‘it’s permitted to be joyful’ and this is a place that embodies that perfectly. Located just outside Westerham at the foot of the North Downs, the family have lived here for eight generations over 300 years, with Sir Patience Warde one of the first generation, trading wool from the Estate with the French for red wine. Fast forward centuries later and the family turned down offers from a Champagne house to buy some of their land. It was the right decision as now, Squerryes is making a solid name for its vintage, sparkling wines in their own right.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

Squerryes offer tours that culminate in tastings that include their signature Brut release, the Rosé and Blanc de Blancs. Tours run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays every weekend through to October.

Food

Squerryes is a great choice for when you want to make a day of it, with a tour, then a tasting and a proper lunch or dinner in The Terrace restaurant or The Bottle Store restaurant. There is Al Fresco dining at The Terrace between April and September and you can look forward to small, seasonal dishes and sharing plates with select cuts of prime meat and seafood, created by their estate chef, Alexander Baillieu. 

Private Hire & Weddings

You have found your perfect location for a party or a wedding. Squerryes Court has featured in many a period drama and could be the perfect backdrop to your big day. The winery space is also available to hire. 

Address: Squerryes, Beggars Lane, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1QP
Tel: 01959 562345
Website

Chapel Down

Location: Tenterden, Kent

Chapel Down might well be the name in English wine that you are most familiar with as they were one of the first to go big and get ‘out there’ in mainstream shops and restaurants. Located just outside Tenterden and pretty close to Gusbourne and Woodchurch, this is a great location to start an English wine tour, especially as there are some great pubs with rooms nearby. Chapel Down themselves also offer a range of experiences, from guided tours, wine tastings and full-on masterclasses, to lunch at their restaurant ‘The Swan’. There are also accommodation packages you could look at with their partner hotels.

On Site Experiences

Tastings & Tours

You can do guided and self guided tours around their vineyards and herb garden. There are various options from simple tours and tastings to full, deluxe tour packages. Cheese and wine tastings are also available.

Food

Chapel Down boasts a two AA Rosette and Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants specialising in modern British cuisine and locally sourced seasonable produce.

Lease the vines!

Chapel Down also has a vine lease programme where you can buy or gift someone their very own Bacchus vines and create personalised wines. There are also events for the leaseholders to attend and you are able to visit your vines at any time to see how they are coming on. 

Address: Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7NG
Tel: 01580 763033
Website

Mereworth Wines

Location: Mereworth, Kent.

Mereworth is a pretty ancient Kentish site that even gets a mention in the Domesday book! The area, like much of Kent has a long history of growing fruit and hops and now, Mereworth has its own winery, swapping hops for grapes. It’s a new winery on the scene but is already making a splash with its first vintage of 2018 sparkling wines winning prestigious awards already. It’s rapidly becoming a serious destination for wine lovers thanks to its calendar of events such as their Indian wine supper and their Champagne Vs England sparkling wine tasting. 

On Site Experiences

Tastings, Tours & Food

Mereworth Wines runs tours and tastings, with an option of masterclasses and wine-and-cheese pairings too. Check their website for their events too.

Address: Brewers Hall, Tonbridge Rd, Mereworth, Maidstone, ME18 5JD. 
Tel: 01622 817795
Website

Places to stay in Kent for your wine tour

The Woolpack Inn, Warehorne.

Tickled Trout in West Fairleigh

Woolpack, Tenterden high street.

The Ship Inn, Rye.

The Windmill, Hollingbourne.

The Oxney Barns, Oxney.

Shepherd’s Huts, Oxney.

Want to know more about English wine? Here are some need-to-know producers to seek out. Or you could try this article for the best UK vineyard hotels. Or this one for the best places to drink English wine in the UK!