On Sunday 22 July crowds flocked to Raimes Vineyard near Alresford as the Vineyards of Hampshire hosted another successful consumer-based fizz festival.
Now in its sixth year, the annual event was designed to highlight how Hampshire is quickly becoming recognised globally as a leading wine-making region. It was also the ideal opportunity for Cottonworth, Danebury, Exton Park, Jenkyn Place, Hambledon, Hattingley and Raimes to showcase their award-winning wines.
Events such as these are vital in educating the public and increasing the awareness of the English wine industry as a whole and visitors to the annual Vineyards of Hampshire Wine Festival were not only able to take part in tours of Raimes’ vineyard but were given the opportunity to participate in masterclasses such as how to grow a vine in your own garden and a comparative tasting of English sparkling wine, Cava, Prosecco and Champagne.
“I am particularly delighted that so many people who attended were trying English wine for the first time and discovering just how good it is,” said Augusta Raimes, owner of the Hampshire vineyard selected to host this year’s festival. “It has been a joy to show off the vineyard as it is looking so good this year and is full of huge bunches of grapes.”
The festival was officially opened by Emily Lambert, the first female sommelier at the Ritz and winner of BBC2’s Million Pound Menu.
