Hendred Vineyard Goldberry Hill, 2003, Oxfordshire, England.

Hendred Vineyard Goldberry Hill, 2003, Oxfordshire, England. »

Andrew Barrow

19 Aug

English Wine, madeleine angevine, seyval blanc

A sultry and very still evening in South O. One of those evenings where you just know rain is on its way with that heaviness to the air. So making the most of the few remaining moments of sun another opportunity to encapsulate that summer feeling with a bottle of something English. I know it’s becoming a habit.

Following last weeks rather good Runnington Hill I ordered another wine from the same vineyard. A different blend though, labelled as Goldberry Hill.

Hendred Vineyard Goldberry Hill, 2003, Oxfordshire, England.
Local Tastes £5.99.
This is a blend of the evocatively named Madeleine Angevine and Seyval Blanc, a hybrid. Stewed apples on the nose, crab apples and hawthorn bushes. The palate is distinctly on the medium side of things but the acidity is high acting as a counter balance. Flavours of pear, baked apple and a sprinkling of dry savoury biscuits. Oh, and a touch of honey from the sweetness. Short length. Plastic cork. Alcohol 11.5%. Food? This went rather nicely with a chicken and green bean salad. Sunshine mandatory.

Scribblings Rating – 88/100

Orange Wine in the Vineyard

I’ve abandoned the usual Sunday morning croissant and a listen to the Archers omnibus today. Instead I’m heading to that London and the RAW Fair (openRead More

13
May

Wine Tasting Slovenian Style

The wines of Miha Batic a natural wine producer in Slovenia; photos and tasting notes taken while sampling the wines in the vineyard.

12
May

Tuscan Vineyard

Two European trips in quick succession – Slovenia followed by Tuscany. Never been to either before. Both were rapidly-scheduled press trips but they did yield quiteRead More

8
May

Wine Tasting Tuscan Style

Opening with the ‘basic’ wines he was almost apologetic at their simplicity. Personally I found them a delight; no idea of price at the time (the top of the range comes in at a very reasonable €20 cellar door) but to a bottle these ‘lesser’ wines were lovely, offering a balanced richness, a true regional acidic streak in the RI.VA.LE Chianti and a touch riper, softer palate to the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

5
May

Spittoon: We Spit So You Can Swallow