THE JOURNAL
The home-grown vintages to enjoy this summer.
Native, which relaunched earlier this year in Southwark, is a London restaurant obsessed with British food and produce. After a recent visit to see how the relocation was going (and very much enjoying our dinner), we asked co-founder Ms Imogen Davis to share some of her expert knowledge. Below, she picked out five English wines that give other European big hitters a run for their money – and told us how to drink them.
“I have a soft spot for English wine,” says Ms Davis. “It is often the underdog when compared with the stuff produced by our European neighbours, but I find there is something complementary to the English way of life and the wine we produce in this country. You can find comfort in a rainy afternoon with a pinot noir from Worcestershire, for example, or enjoy a sparkling wine with elderflower and nettle notes in a lush English garden. Below I have listed my favourite English wines at the moment. They should all be available to buy but, if not, you could always pop in to Native and we’ll sneak you a bottle or two out of the back door.”
Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs, West Sussex
“This is a firm favourite of mine and is a perfect example of how English wine is being taken seriously in the international market. I hear they even export to Japan now. The Blanc de Blancs is a lovely, pale straw-yellow colour with delicate little bubbles. It has an elegant minerality that shines alongside green apple flavours, revealing a long, complex finish. I would recommend trying this over your usual sparkling French variety for your next celebration.”
Pair with: creamy cheeses, shellfish and seafood
Three Choirs Winchcombe Downs, Gloucestershire
“If you are looking for an easy-drinking white wine for a lazy, sunny afternoon, try this Winchcombe Downs variety. With soft floral aromas of elderflower and nettle combined with a hint of fresh peaches, it is an elegant and lively crisp dry white wine – like sunshine in a glass throughout the year. No matter where you’re enjoying this one, it transports you to a beautiful English garden.”
Pair with: antipasti, seafood and canapés
Lyme Bay Chardonnay, Dorset
“Fresh sea air demands a bright and fragrant chardonnay to complement your catch of the day straight off the boat. This from Lyme Bay in Dorset has creamy, peach and honey flavours and a slight touch of pineapple.”
Pair with: fresh Dorset mackerel
Sixteen Ridges Early Pinot Noir Early Red, Worcestershire
“This is possibly an unexpected entry, but English pinot noir, such as this one from the Sixteen Ridges in Worcestershire, is really exciting. Offering a wine on the lighter, fresher end of the shelf, it surprises on the first taste with its ripe cherry and vanilla notes and slightly oaky finish. In the summer, I have also enjoyed a glass slightly chilled.”
Pair with: roast venison
Bolney Estate Rosso Vermouth, West Sussex
“My wild-card recommendation is the rosso, a fortified wine with distinctive flavour profiles, which come from the botanicals growing in Bolney’s own vineyard hedgerows. I love that they have created this vermouth using their own native influences from their hedgerows. This is so versatile, it can be enjoyed over ice with a slice of orange, or as a low-alcohol cocktail with elderflower tonic water.”
Pair with: a Neal’s Yard Dairy cheese board
Corking stuff
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