That’s a wine tasting event, for the uninitiated – including me, who had to look up how to spell it!! A Christmas present from S&G, Mrs. No Name kindly organised the trip and decided on Shawsgate Vineyard, which is just ‘up the road’, very close to Framlingham. We weren’t sure what to expect, but we did know it included the wine tasting itself and refreshments of some description.
I won’t bore the loyal and remarkably small readership with a detailed breakdown of proceedings but a scanty overview of the session is as follows. Arrived at ten on the Saturday morning to be greeted by Les (the owner) and then tea or coffee in the marquee. Les gave an informative and relatively low key overview of the vine growing process that I think all of us found fascinating – needless to say, I now know about the M & H growing techniques, their history and the merits of each. It was followed by a tour of the vineyards, where both of the aforementioned growing techniques are employed. After a look around the distillery, it was back to the marquee for what turned out to be a lovely two course sit down luncheon. A lovely surprise, possibly made even more enjoyable by a pre lunch tasting of five of the estate white wines (driest to sweetest is the order apparently, which the discerning will already know) and then a further two tastings of estate reds (a rose and a sparkling red) – full glass of the wine of your choice with the lunch as well.
By the time the tasting of the last red had finished, very surprised to learn that it was already well after two thirty and not once through out the visit had I looked at the time. Touched lucky with our lunch neighbours as well and, as is customary, took the opportunity to procure a case of wine from the small shop. The case included a few bottles of the Bacchus, the only wine I had previously encountered. (although that grape variety is grown in a number of English vineyards and I of course had no idea from where my previous imbibing had originated).
A lovely vineyard, great staff and a wonderful and educational four to five hours. All power to them, they are a fine advert for the underappreciated excellence of well produced English wine.
Thanks to S&G, a particularly lovely and apt present. Set the bar high though 🙂