Region
If you have never tried an English wine before – well now is your opportunity. The vineyards of England are generally located in the warmer southern counties where the milder influences of the gulf stream have an important effect, as our northern hemisphere vineyards need a longer cooler growing season than in Europe to produce top quality grapes. More than 500 vineyards are in production across the UK and bottled annual sales has reached 3 million bottles, with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bacchus the most planted varieties. 
 
Producer
In 1806 Gregory Blaxland, a farmer from Canterbury Kent, emigrated to Australia with his brother John. The journey took 220 days. En route they collected vines from the Cape of Good Hope. In 1813 Gregory, with two other explorers, found a passage across the Blue Mountains, making Australian history. From the vines he planted he became the first person to export wine from Australia to the UK, winning a silver medal for his red wine in London in 1822. In 2016 Gregory’s descendant Henry Blaxland, a human rights KC, and his wife Gill, a psychoanalyst, inspired by the pioneering family history planted 6.25 hectares of vines on farm land on the edge of the Kent Downs overlooking Canterbury Cathedral, which has been in the family for generations. 
 
Tasting Notes
This elegant Chardonnay is aged in French Oak barrels wihich impart a delicate hazelnut aroma to the palate of orchard fruit, crunchy peach and grapefruit zest. Elegant and refined with a fresh feel on the finish.
 
Food
Perfect served chilled as an aperitif or alongside salmon and dauphinois potatoes.