Can’t travel to England for an authentic British holiday season? Neither can I! Instead, let’s be a bit cheeky and duplicate the experience as much as possible here at home… How about we call the Dickens carolers for a stopover at the house, open a bottle of Chapel Down sparkling wine and make a few sweet and savoury English nibbles for pairing? Before you know it, one of us will be donning a crown, feigning a British accent and watching the Downton Abbey Christmas episode. Am I right?
Photo Credit: Londonist
If you’re near New York City, it’s possible to find Chapel Down sparkling wines at the city’s British restaurant Tea & Sympathy at 106 Greenwich Avenue. You can relax with tea (don’t forget to raise your pinky) and Chapel Down bubbly while indulging in a menu of delectable tidbits. In lieu of stopping by the restaurant since I’m spending Christmas elsewhere, I’ll be sipping and nibbling with family at home.
If you’ve never tasted sparkling wine from Chapel Down, you must. My first sip was at the Grand Cru tasting during Chicago Gourmet a couple of years ago and I was impressed. Chapel Down Winery is located in the town of Tenterden, found in the heart of the Kent countryside. They produce English sparkling wines from fruit sourced in the southeast of England and use the traditional method of production, like Champagne, whereby the second fermentation is in the bottle. Josh Donaghay-Spire, Head Winemaker, stated, “It gives me great pride to be at the forefront of a young and growing industry with Chapel Down. We have a duty to push the boundaries, explore new terroirs, and discover what heights England as a wine producing nation can achieve.” It’s no wonder then that Chapel Down is the United Kingdom’s #1 winery and its wines can be found in numerous countries.
Photo Credit: Chapel Down Winery
Many will consider sipping only tea, the foundation to everything else, during a traditional “English Tea.” A cup of Earl Grey, black tea, breakfast tea, lemon tea, jasmine tea (trust me, the list goes on!) are delightful with a wide range of dainty sandwiches (crust removed, of course), scones with clotted cream or jam, sweet cakes, confections and pastries. But don’t forget the English sparkling wine!
Photo Credit: Tea & Sympathy, New York City
Once I opened two Chapel Down bubblies (sent as samples), my English tea game was forever changed. The Chapel Down Brut NV ($47) is a classic with enticing aromas and flavors of crisp red apples, lemon peel, baked brioche, and just-picked strawberries amidst the dancing bubbles. Of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 13% Pinot Blanc and 7% Pinot Meunier, the wine was aged 15 months on its lees. Creamy and fresh, this elegant Brut was balanced and rich with a lingering finish.
Chapel Down Rosé Brut ($58) was a joy to sip with everything from lovely tea sandwiches to tiny desserts. Pale peach in the glass, I found delicate notes of raspberries, currants and strawberries with hints of scones and English shortbread on the nose and palate. As refreshing and light as it was crisp, this 100% Pinot Noir was aged on the lees for 6 months, then aged in the bottle for 18 months.
Are you ready for a brilliant holiday? After a lovely English tea with Chapel Down sparkling wines, of course you are!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
