I had been waiting a long time for an opportunity to open this Sedlescombe rosé and as some warmer weather has now finally arrived, a Friday evening picnic in the park seemed like the perfect opportunity. As I have blogged about previously, Sedlescombe in East Sussex is one of my favourite English vineyards. They have farmed Organically for 30 years and a couple of years ago they made the transition to Biodynamics. I’ve heard a lot of people say that England’s climate neccesitates the use of chemical sprays but Sedlescombe goes to show that with care and dedication it is possible to make great wine without resorting to chemicals.

This 2010 rosé is produced from Biodynamically grown Regent grapes but as a small amount of sugar in the form of grape juice was added for balance at bottling it cannot be certified as Biodynamic. As you can see, we enjoyed it al fresco and it was a perfect match with a summery picnic. Fresh, crisp and fun. Plenty of summer fruit including a big hit of strawberry and a hint of crisp green apples. A slightly honeyish note too.

English wine week is coming up from 2nd-10th June and if you’re looking for something to pair with a picnic, summer salad or lighter fare from a BBQ give it a try. Available online, direct from the cellar door and from a handful of independent wine shops (contact Sedlescombe for more details).