A Kent wine served at a royal wedding has been ranked among the best in the world – thanks in part to the county’s cool climate and unique soil.
Chapel Down’s Brut Rosé has been named among the top 50 tipples in the Decanter World Wine Awards – the first time a UK sparkling rosé has scored so highly.
It is a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier, pinot blanc and early pinot noir grapes made at Chapel Down in Tenterden.
In contrast to other high-price bottles making the best-rated list, the rosé can be snapped up for just under £30.
It is crafted in the same method as Champagne but Chapel Down’s head winemaker Josh Donaghay-Spire says the rosé’s unique character is born out of Kent’s cool climate and chalk soils.
He told the Times, the award means a lot to him and his team.
“We are over the moon,” said Mr Donaghay-Spire.
“It is recognition of the attention to detail and quality that we put into every bottle.“
The bubbly beverage – which was served at the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Buckingham Palace wedding reception in 2011 – was praised for its petal pink colour and fresh, crisp taste.
Judges said climate change may have helped to produce the prize Kent grapes, but also praised the skill of the Chapel Down winemakers in creating a complex blend.
“Whatever the reason, we found the wine hard to resist,” they said.
“Its petal pink couldn’t look prettier in the glass, while the aromatic fruits are satisfyingly restrained and subtle, and the palate clean and emphatic.”
English wines overall had their best year yet at the awards – winning 186 medals.
The result comes as sales of English bubbly outpace those of French vineyards.
According to research firm Nielsen, English sparkling wine sales grew by 16% in the UK off-trade last year – in contrast to Champagne sales dipping by 9%.
And Chapel Down’s share of that market was maintained at 35.4%.
The company secured planning permission last year to create a new £32m winery in Canterbury – a move it sees as essential to increasing its capacities and fuelling its future success.
It has also previously stated its intention to plant more vines on land between Wye and Chilham this year.
