Page 153 - WDT MAGAZINE PORTUGAL

Hambledon is one of seven vineyards in Hampshire
copyright Wibke Carter. Opposite: Hattingley Valley harvest
copyright The Electric Eye Photography

tourism is definitely becoming a thing. We’ve started evening stroll. From the imposing statue of King
partnering with other local vineyards to offer a “Cellar Alfred I walk along the river Itchen past the ruins of
Door Day” once a month when we’re all open and Wolsely Castle, and then onto the town’s crowning
customers can just drop in for a tasting”. glory, Winchester Cathedral. The final resting place of
Never one to turn down a good drop, I happily writer Jane Austen, it is one of the longest medieval
drink, not just sip and spit, my way through four cathedrals in Europe, welcoming over 300,000 visitors
samples of Hattingley Valley wines from the Classic a year. A stone’s throw away, the Old Vine, an 18th
Reserve (somewhat toasty flavoured) to the 2014 century grade II listed inn, spoils me over dinner with
Rosé (hints of strawberry). The pièce de résistance is tasty local pub grub and, you guessed it, a glass of
the 2011 Blanc de Blanc; made from the best regional bubbles.
Chardonnay parcels, it was awarded the ‘World The next day, I head to Laverstoke Mill to find out
Champion’ trophy in the Champagne and Sparkling more about the other British favourite tipple: gin.
Wine World Championships 2017. The bubbles There are now more than 160 brands across the UK
quickly rise not only up through my nose but they also according to the Gin Guild and whether drunk neat,
go to my head. Before I know it, the credit card is out, with tonic or in a cocktail, there’s no end in sight for
swiped and the £50 ($65) bottle handed over. Ouch, the love affair with gin.
but I do have a big birthday coming up. Just 15 miles from Winchester and 60 miles from
I stay overnight in Winchester, Hampshire’s must- London, Bombay Sapphire has been operating in the
see capital. The historical town centre is so compact I historical distillery since 2010. Ten botanicals are
manage to see various attractions during a leisurely used in the iconic blue bottled gin including Cassia

152 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2019