Wine Tours

Hello!

Has anyone here experienced going on a wine tour in the UK??  I found a couple of lists for UK wine tours:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/may/21/english-wines-vineyard-stays-uk
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ten-top-uk-wine-tours-2290373.html

Denbies is lovely.  Definitely recommended.

Denbies is lovely.  Definitely recommended.

Thanks mirrajay!  I'll surely visit Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking ('largest vineyard in England')!

I was also looking at Biddenden Vineyards in Kent or Bolney Wine Estate in West Sussex.  I've only ever done 1 wine tour which was in Napa Valley/Sonoma County. 

Thanks for posting these links. I've never done a wine tour before. Forgive my ignorance, but what do you do? Do you get to taste a lot of wines? The places look lovely.

Thanks for posting these links. I've never done a wine tour before. Forgive my ignorance, but what do you do? Do you get to taste a lot of wines? The places look lovely.

Hi Fallgall!  Wine tours usually start off by telling you about the history of the vineyard and the winemaking process.  Tour guides tell you what grapes are used and how they're harvested, etc..  You'll get to see the vineyards and wine cellars.  Wine tours usually finish off in the tasting rooms where you can sample wines before making purchases.  Wineries might also have bed & breakfast accomodation on-site and/or a restaurant.

English and Welsh wine has only started to emerge in recent years, with UK sparkling wine receiving the most attention.   

And in 2011 Denbies won gold at the International Wine Challenge for best rose in the world!  Its not my favourite rose, personally, but definitely a feather in the hat for English wines.

If you're ever down in Cornwall, we have Polgoon vineyard. I've actually never been, though I have sampled their wares on plenty of occasions. Their sparkling rose has won some awards too, though not best in the world! My fave of theirs, however, is their sparkling Aval, a sparkling cider that's so refined and dry that it tastes like very very nice champagne. At £13 a bottle it doesn't come cheap, though.

Thanks, Ricksgirl.

My DH likes (red) wine, but I'm on the fence. I've always *wanted* to like it, but I guess I haven't found many to suit my taste. It would be cool to go to a tour where I can learn about them, and perhaps make a more informed choice next time, instead of wasting another bottle.

And in 2011 Denbies won gold at the International Wine Challenge for best rose in the world!  Its not my favourite rose, personally, but definitely a feather in the hat for English wines.

mirrajay, it's really impressive that Denbies Wine Estate managed to win a prestigious award for best rosé wine!  Considering that the UK is still only a very minor producer of wine.

If you're ever down in Cornwall, we have Polgoon vineyard. I've actually never been, though I have sampled their wares on plenty of occasions. Their sparkling rose has won some awards too, though not best in the world! My fave of theirs, however, is their sparkling Aval, a sparkling cider that's so refined and dry that it tastes like very very nice champagne. At £13 a bottle it doesn't come cheap, though.

chary, thanks for suggesting Polgoon Vineyard!  I've visited Penzance and its nearby tourist attractions.  A wine tour there is definitely something to consider when I visit Cornwall again.

Thanks, Ricksgirl.

My DH likes (red) wine, but I'm on the fence. I've always *wanted* to like it, but I guess I haven't found many to suit my taste. It would be cool to go to a tour where I can learn about them, and perhaps make a more informed choice next time, instead of wasting another bottle.

Fallgal, I also used to not be so keen on red wine.  But after tasting various reds, I liked it eventually.  Yes a wine tour can be highly educational and interesting, and is also a fun day trip/weekend getaway.