Spring is certainly in the air, with the primroses in full flower and the first of the green shoots beginning to appear in the hedgerows which surround the vineyards. The warm weather has continued to encourage the sap to rise – the first signs that the vines are awakening after their winter dormancy – they are looking neat & tidy, all tied down and ready for the growing season ahead.
With the warmer weather, sunshine & blue skies, also comes the promise of longer days spent outside with friends and family, and with the restrictions continuing to lift, we’re certainly ready to begin our catch ups over a glass of wine.
Though Easter is coming around quickly, there’s still a little time to get stocked up on wine to enjoy over the long weekend. Whether you’re new to Biddenden or a long-standing supporter, we’ve picked out a few wines below which make an excellent introduction to the varieties grown and our styles of wine here at Biddenden.
Biddenden Ortega 2018
Our signature variety, Ortega accounts for approximately half the plantings here at Biddenden and this is the wine for which we are best known. A cross of Müller Thurgau and Siegerrebe, Ortega is an early ripening grape which lends itself well to our climate, producing a small grape with plenty of fruity flavour. Excellent as an aperitif, or served alongside a meal with a touch of spice, Biddenden Ortega 2018 is off-dry, with fresh aromas of green apple and is deliciously fruity.
Gribble Bridge Dornfelder 2018
A typically English, light & fruity red wine. A great accompaniment to a traditional roast lamb, served at room temperature, or for something a little different, may be lightly chilled and enjoyed as part of your first BBQ of the year. Made using single varietal Dornfelder, which produces an abundance of beautifully large bunches of grapes come harvest time.
Gribble Bridge Rosé 2020
One of the first releases from our 2020 vintage, Gribble Bridge Rosé combines the best of both, using a blend of Ortega & Dornfelder to produce a full flavoured medium-dry rosé with notes of raspberries. Truly the drink of the summer, serve lightly chilled and enjoy with plenty of sunshine!
Gribble Bridge White 2019
A great demonstration of how different winemaking techniques may be used to create differing styles of wine using the same grape variety. Gribble Bridge White is made using Ortega, fermented to be slightly drier in style, whilst retaining the characteristic fresh, fruity flavours. An excellent accompaniment to white fish dishes & salads.
Biddenden Schönburger 2018
Made using late harvest Schönburger grapes, which have been left on the vine to develop higher natural sugars, this wine is a light blush, fruity sweet wine. The varietal characteristics of the grapes shine through, with flavours of honey, lychee & elderflower creating a wine which is lusciously rich. Best served chilled, Biddenden Schönburger is delicious as an aperitif and will also pair beautifully with soft cheeses and sweet desserts.
Gribble Bridge Sparkling Rosé 2017
Although best known for our still wines, our sparkling wines are also a must try, made to the traditional method with quality and flavour at the forefront. Gribble Bridge Sparkling Rosé 2017 is produced from Pinot Noir & Reichensteiner, using grapes some of the original plantings at Biddenden. With a damask rose colour and off-dry palate, this sparkling wine has flavours of strawberry, raspberry & pear.
These wines are available as our “A Taste of Biddenden” selection, or may each be ordered individually, all with nationwide delivery or for collection direct from our vineyard shop.
We do hope you will join us in raising a glass over the Easter weekend, cheers!
– Julian, Sally, Tom & Will
