Merry Christmas One & All

There’s a pretty good chance that this will be last of my wee postings before Santa arrives and disgorges a load of pressies under the tree. Naturally my five year old daughter is bedside herself with excitement, followed closely by me! Not so much because of the pressies (when you’re in your 40s you just don’t get decent toys) more because I cook the Christmas dinner, which always makes Christmas for me, and because this year we’ve got a couple of good English wine choices to go with it. That really makes it for me!

On the sparkling front (obligatory with Christmas dinner here) we have Bolney 2009 vintage Blanc de Blancs made with 100% Chardonnay grapes. A big crisp, fruity fizz with a hint of delicious yeastiness and a fabulous foamy mouthfeel. Then we have a voluptuous silky red, also from Bolney in the guise of their 2011 Lychgate Red, which I’ve talked about elsewhere but will also beautifully accompany turkey and all the trimmings on its own for those that prefer red.

Bolney’s sparkling Cuvée Noir is an even better match and crosses the rubicon of being a fizz for turkey whilst being a red! At The English Wine Shop we ran out of stock before I could get my hands on it this year (sadly) but you can still get it at DW Brown in Ashover village.

Finally, this one is an unknown to me, although Duncan loves it, so this wine will be joining our New Year list and that is the 2011 Shawsgate Bacchus. The reviews look positive for it too. It promises to be young and fresh with a kiss of spritz and to be a great accompaniment to seafood. So that’s my prawn nibbles sorted. I’ll let you know how we get on with that one!

Our other, earlier recommendations still stand of course: Renishaw Hall Sparkling Pink, Three Choirs Dry and Medium Dry – always reliable and always good – and Ridgeview Grosvenor. The latter being an excellent choice and standing alongside the very best Champagnes. It would go beautifully with a range of foods and canapés over the holiday and be an excellent celebratory fizz for New Year.

So that’s our Christmas (and New Year) line up. Whilst you cannot get these in time for Christmas online at The English Wine Shop you can find them in store at the following locations:

DW Brown, Ashover (centre of the village, pretty much next door to the Post Office)

Scotland Nurseries Farm Shop (Renishaw Hall Sparkling Pink only)

And last but by no means least Hackwood Farm near Mickleover, Derby, who have a comprehensive range of wines supplied by us. You can try some by the glass in their restaurant and tea rooms before you buy!

www.hackwoodfarm.com

All these places have excellent ranges of local produce including excellent butchery. These stores will be open today and tomorrow so go get Christmas properly sorted with the very best English wines.

All that remains is for me to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

More Outlets for English Wine

The English Wine Shop (part of Amber Valley Wines) is very pleased to announce new outlets for a range of delectable English wines. One is in the centre of Ashover, at a fabulous shop that has long prided itself on being a stockist of excellent local produce, including meats and game, DW Brown.

At DW Brown you will be able to buy a range of wines from high-end sparkling wine from Ridgeview estate (a perfect Christmas gift or celebratory fizz) to Sparkling Bolney Cuvée Noir, a luscious festive red fizz. Either of these will go with turkey or goose.

Still Three Choirs medium dry white, a fruity blend with enough crispness that it is perfect with smoked salmon and cream cheese or on its own and Three Choirs rose, which off-dry and is full of red berry fruits providing a perfect end of meal accompaniment with English trifle or a fruit salad. Whatever you have planned on your Christmas season menu list, DW Brown will be able to match it with a cracking English wine!

Also, you can get Renishaw Hall Sparkling Pink at Scotland Nurseries Farm Shop. Scotland Nurseries have long stocked some English wines but have recently added the Renishaw Pink to their range and will, we hope, be adding more in a joint collaboration with The English Wine Shop.