Saturday, 29 May 2010

Last year England produced 3.18m bottles of wine - and much of it was the kind that holds its own on the world stage, winning wine competitions and generally worth getting pretty excited about. Our best sparkling wines in particular are the equal - if not the better - of their champagne competitors. Only last week Camel Valley and Nyetimber picked up gold medals at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in London.

In honour of English Wine Week (Saturday 29 May - Sunday 6 June 2010) we've picked out five London restaurants where you can be sure of getting a glass of great English wine with your food.

 

fifteen london Fifteen London - Westland Place, N1

Jamie Oliver's Shoreditch restaurant is a big supporter of local wines, and are launching a special range of wines in aid of English Wine Week. Alex Thorp, who is Restaurant Manager Bar and Wine at Fifteen London, said: 'We are proud to be bringing English wine to enhance our customers' experience at Fifteen London.'

See what the critics thought of Fifteen

 

sake no hanaSake No Hana - St James's

This St James restaurant, formerly owned by Alan Yau may not be the first place you'd think of as an obvious choice to try English wine.

However, Sake No Hana serves 2008 Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rose which just won a Gold medal in the International Wine Challenge, by the glass.

See what the critics thought of Sake No Hana

 

launceston placeLaunceston Place - Launceston Place, W8

As chef Tristan Welch takes Launceston Place from strength to strength, picking up a third AA rosette this year, the wine list is equal to the task of matching his food.

Here you'll find Balfour Brut Rosé from the Hush Heath Estate in deepest Kent - a gold medal award winner last year at the Decanter Wine Awards as well as Nyetimber and Chapel Down's Bacchus Reserve.

See what the critics thought of Launceston Place

 

artisan and vineArtisan and Vine - Battersea

This Battersea wine shop and bar, with a restaurant attached, was recommended to Hot Dinners by several English wine producers.

They specialise in local and natural wines with a wine list which features no fewer than ten English sparklers, including an organic Limney Estate Quality Sparkling Wine 2004 from the Davenport Vineyards.

Find out more about Artisan and Vine

 

formansFormans Restaurant - Fish Island, Olympic Village

Apart from one champagne, Formans - the first restaurant for the famous smoked fish company - feature only English wines on their list. This venue, right on the edge of the new Olympic Stadium site, is pretty much the only decent eating place in the area.

Try the London-cured salmon and enjoy a menu, obviously heavy on seafood, but also featuring seasonal English products. It's worth checking the restaurant's website for opening hours before you head out this way.

See what the critics thought of Formans

 

If you want to know where else to enjoy the best of British food, view our full list of London restaurant reviews.

And for more on English Wines go to the English Wine Week website.

 
 

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