Hampshire – England’s Bubbles Hotspot

The sun is blazing, not a cloud in the sky. My eyes survey the sprawling vineyards as a server hands me a glass of local bubbly. Hold on. Let’s rewind here. A glass of local bubbly?  In England? The surroundings and the hot weather feel so alien and for a second I feel I’ve forgotten I’m in Hambledon, less than two hours from London, instead of in northeastern France where the vineyards fit the landscape like a glove.

“I imagine hell like this: Italian punctuality, German humor and English wine,” quipped the late actor Sir Peter Ustinov in 2008. Little did he know that more than a decade later British bubbles are all the rage. There are now more than 450 wineries producing 3.15 million bottles annually in the country. The climate of the South and Southeast England makes it a particularly popular region for growing vines, especially in Hampshire, Sussex and Kent.

Exploring the Vineyards of England

“Geological mapping has shown that the chalky grounds in this area are identical to those in the Champagne region”, explains Lisa Eagan on a tour through Hambledon Vineyard. “In fact, the French like our soil so much they have started buying ground in the UK because there are not many affordable tracts left in France.” And considering the hefty price tag of 1.1 million euro per hectare in Champagne, the five-digit sales in Hampshire seem like a bargain.

Only 22 miles north of Hambledon lies another award-winning vineyard, Hattingley Valley.  “Winemaking here is still a very young industry in which innovation is key”, says marketing manager Rebecca Fisher. “And wine tourism is definitely becoming a thing. We started partnering with other local vineyards to offer a “Cellar Door Day” once a month when we’re all open and customers can just drop in for a tasting”.

Never one to turn down a good drop I happily drink, not just sip and spit, my way through four samples of Hattingley Valley wines from the Classic Reserve (somewhat toasty flavored) to the 2014 Rosé (hints of strawberry). The pièce de résistance is the 2011 Blanc de Blanc; made from the best Chardonnay parcels, it was awarded the ‘World Champion’ trophy in the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2017. The bubbles quickly rise not only up my nose but clearly also to my head. Before I know it, the credit card is out, swiped and the £50 bottle handed over.  Ouch, but I do have a big birthday coming up.

From Bubbles to Gin

I overnight in Winchester, Hampshire’s mellow must-see capital. The historical town center is so compact I manage to see some attractions on a leisurely evening stroll. From the imposing statue of King Alfred, I walk along the River Itchen past the ruins of Wolsely Castle, then on to the town’s crowning glory, Winchester Cathedral. The final resting place of writer Jane Austen, it’s one of the longest medieval cathedrals in Europe, welcoming over 300,000 visitors a year. A stone’s throw away, the Old Vine, an 18^th century Grade II listed inn, spoils me over dinner with tasty pub grub and, you guessed it, a glass of regional bubbles.

The next day I head to Laverstoke Mill to find out more about the UK’s other favorite tipple: gin. There are now more than 160 brands across the country according to the Gin Guild and whether imbibed neat, with tonic water or in a cocktail, there’s no end in sight for this love affair.

Bombay Sapphire

Just 15 miles from Winchester and 60 miles from London, Bombay Sapphire has been operating in the historical distillery since 2010.  Ten botanicals are used in the iconic blue bottled gin including Cassia Bark from Indochina, Cubeb Berries from Java and Grains of Paradise from Ghana. The drink’s beginnings, however, were much simpler. In the 1400s, a distilled spirit was flavored with juniper to improve the taste and subsequently called “Genever”.

A visit to Bombay Sapphire is more than just a boozy day out. It’s a journey through the history of Laverstoke Mill, its connection to the Bank of India, and a close-up of the Vapour Infusion distillation process. Gin lovers can create their own variation in a cocktail master class. At the end of the tour, I get a complimentary G&T, stored in a little takeaway bag, as I have to drive sober to my last stop of the weekend.

A Downton Abbey Connection

Gin has also been served in the Carnavon family for generations.  Enjoyed in the “Highclere Style” for over a century, the traditional method of indulgence involves a cocktail made with gin, tonic water, a fresh orange squeeze and peel, and garnished with a sprig of rosemary.

“Juniper has grown wild on the estate since the days of the ancient Romans so it’s just like we were meant to make our own gin. We’re also using botanicals influenced by the castle’s garden including lime flower, lavender and home-grown oats,” says Hannah Gutteridge.

Highclere Castle, which is more prominently known as Downton Abbey, launched its own London Dry Gin in June only a few months before the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the family’s Edwardian country house hit the big screen.  No doubt, the nail-biting drama is much more enjoyable with a good G&T in hand and thanks to this latest release we can feel just a tiny bit closer to Lord and Lady Grantham.