Despite the success of the vaccination programme, it looks as if we will be largely confined to the home front for a little while longer yet, so we may as well enjoy what our own county has in abundance.
May 11 is Somerset Day, and we are all being urged to get out the bunting, fly the flag and celebrate the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful and diverse counties in the UK.
We have much to celebrate and, now more than ever, we should all do our bit to support local businesses, which have much to offer, often winning well deserved world-wide recognition.
Cider is, of course, what most readily comes to mind when we think of Somerset produce but in recent years there has been considerable diversification.
I am a particular fan of Somerset Cider Brandy, produced at Burrow Hill, close to Martock. They have some excellent gift packages, but I am very fond of their five-year-old cider brandy, 42% abv., and recently available at Waitrose for a bargain £17 (50cl.) – although inaccurately described as ‘imported whiskey’ in style. Matured in oak barrels, it is complex with a fruity, sweet and floral character on the nose, a smooth palate and a spicy aftertaste. Full of apple flavours, with a long finish.
Gin lovers will enjoy discovering Bath Gin, 40%abv. at £36.
Offered by The Bath Distillery, the first in the city for over 250 years, this is an elegant, aromatic gin distilled using eleven of the finest botanicals from across the world, including bitter orange, kaffir lime leaf and English coriander.
Mildly sweet, it is a pleasant blend of floral, exotic citrus and deep spice notes, creating a light well balanced gin. The picture of Jane Austen on the label is a bonus for her fans. Somerset is a county not readily associated with wine production, but we do have a number of producers across the county.
Although at the time of writing personal visits are not possible for all places, some are open by appointment, and most wines are available by mail order, often with free delivery, and local discounts. As a bubbly fan, I am partial to the Smith & Evans Higher Plot sparkling wine. The 2015 vintage is currently available at £29 (11.5% abv.)
Made from a blend of the traditional Champagne grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it has ripe aromas of lemon, spice and toasted nuts, and on the palate shows an elegant balance between freshness and minerality.
Smith & Evans, Aller Road Higher Plot Farm, Langport TA10 0QL, smithandevans. co.uk.
Also worth tasting are wines from these popular vineyards:
• Avalon Vineyard/Pennard Organic Wines, Little House The Drove East Pennard, Shepton Mallet BA4 6UA, pennardorganicwines.co.uk.
• Oatley Vineyard, Oatley Lane, Cannington, Bridgwater TA5 2NL, oatleyvineyard.co.uk.
• Fenny Castle Vineyard, Castle Lane Panniers Farm, Wookey BA5 1NL, fennycastlevineyard.co.uk.
• Wraxall Vineyard, Wraxall Rd, Wraxall, Shepton Mallet BA4 6RQ, wraxallvineyard. co.uk.
• Mumfords Vineyard, Shockerwick Ln, Bannerdown, Bath BA1 7LQ, mumfordsvineyard.co.uk.
Naturally, all of this booze will need a delicious morsel or two to soak it up.
I shall be treating myself to some scrumptious treats from Brown & Forrest Smokery, Bowdens Farm, Hambridge Rd, Langport TA10 0BP, brownandforrest.co.uk. This smokery offers excellent smoked eel, trout and salmon, as well as a whole range of other smoked foods. Under ordinary circumstances the shop is well worth a visit and the restaurant is always full of diners.
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