NEWSLETTER #1
Q&A - CHARLES PALMER - CHARLES PALMER VINEYARD
In the first of our planned Q&A’s we spoke to one of our fantastic local wine producers, Charles Palmer, about how he started in wine and the wines he likes. Charles Palmer have won various awards including a Plantinum medal for their Blanc de Blancs 2014.
They have been big supporters of Michelin* award winner Tommy Banks and have enjoyed working with him since 2017, and he owns The Black Swan in Oldstead, Roots and The Abbey Inn in York. Their Classic Cuvée 2017 is paired with their first 2 dishes on their delicious pairing menu...
Q&A
Can you remember the first wine you ever tasted?
I’m pretty sure it was Blue Nun.
Can you remember the first bottle of wine you ever bought?
Wow! I think I was trying to impress and pretty sure it was a Bollinger.
The English wine market has seen rapid growth, has global warming had an effect?
Absolutely, it has been of great benefit by extending the growing season.
Last year provided tough weather conditions, how do you think this year will fare?
Yields will likely be down due to disease pressure from last year’s wet
weather, but we have high hopes for a better year this year.
What is the most expensive wine that you’ve had and where?
A 60th birthday present which we drank with the family at home. Ironically it was Chateau Palmer 2004 from the Medoc!
What is the wine that you’ve had that you feel has been your favourite wine (apart from your own)?
Jackson Estate Somerset Pinot Noir 2017 - Waihopai Valley NZ.
What would your favourite meal be and what wine would you have with it?
Tommy Banks Beef Wellington with our newest Pinot Noir 2022.
Charles Palmer Vineyard is open Wed-Sun, and wines can be purchased at their Cellar Door and tastings can also be booked, where you can enjoy fabulous wines with remarkable views across the Brede valley.
For more information call 07869148935 or email: vineyard@charlespalmer-vineyards.co.uk
ABC… Anything But Chardonnay.
We have a great variety of wines in Rye Fine Wines but one of the most common comments we get when people come in, and I offer them a white wine is “Oh, I don’t like chardonnay!”. I think a lot of that stemmed from some of the heavily oaked wines and the misguided, unfortunate aspect that was associated with names of footballer’s wives. It is one of the most versatile grapes grown in the world, and some of the finest wines are made from this incredible grape. Take for example the following exceptional wines of Burgundy, especially Chablis, Macon, Pouilly-Fuisse and Meursault. Finally, let’s not forget the white grape in champagne is chardonnay, and the Blanc-de-Blancs version is 100% chardonnay! So, when you next come in, keep an open mind and you may well find a new favourite wine to indulge in.
WINE QUIZ
Now is your opportunity to win a hamper worth over £100. Just answer the following 5 questions correctly and email your answers to us at info@ryefinewines.uk and we will reveal the winner in next months edition.
1. Which country is the biggest producer of wine?
2. Who invented Champagne?
3. The French region of Provence is most famous for which style of wine?
4. The famous French wine Chablis is made from which grape variety
5. What is the largest wine bottle size?
