Vineyard tour for Chateau Cobbs

'Exceptional' reviews for Hungerford bubbly

HUNGERFORD is making a name for itself as a producer of fine English wine, thanks to Alder Ridge Vineyard at Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen.

And if you’d like to try a drop, there’s a vineyard tour and supper coming up.

Cobbs Farm chief executive Tom Newey planted the vines in 2010, and the 2013 is the first vintage to be released.

The event will be the first such supper at which guests will be able to sample the inaugural release from the vineyard, a 2013 vintage Blanc de Noirs English sparkling wine.

Initial reviews of the bubbly have been exceptional and the team is hopeful of some recognition at the International Wine Competition, results of which will be announced in May.

Chef proprietor of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, Roger Jones, said of the vintage: “The nose is very delicate, gentle rolling bubbles, bright clean flavours, touch of acidity, clean minerality, fresh fine summer berries very much in the champagne vintage mode.”

At eight acres, Alder Ridge Vineyard is West Berkshire’s largest English vineyard and features the classic Champagne variety grapes of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Précoce.

Mr Newey said: “We’re bowled over by the success and quality of our first 2013 vintage and feel enormously proud to be part of the English wine industry, where English sparkling wines are already giving some of the more recognisable household names in Champagne a run for their money in blind tastings.”

For more information, or to book, call 01488 686 700 or email kitchen@cobbsfarm shop.co.uk