We recently ran into wine blogger Sam Brown http://samthewino.com who describes himself as "wino, holidayer, music lover, car nut, foodie, geek, recruitment consultant, Londoner and above all, husband" at The London Wine Show on 19th November. Here's Sam's notes on this encounter: Sedlescombe is England's oldest organic vineyard. Enrico and Inga were showing their 2010 Old Vines white which is produced from the first block of Reichensteiner vines planted at Sedlescombe more than 30 years ago which has been farmed organically ever since. On the nose there's citrus, green apple and a slight floral note along with with balanced acidity and a rounded mouth feel. They were also showing their First Release white, so called because it was England's first wine produced according to Biodynamic farming methods. I absolutely love it! It's a blend of Bacchus, Rivaner and Solaris and is beautifully clean and crisp with zesty lemon notes and maybe a hint of melon. They also had the last few bottles of their 2009 Regent red. I'm not sure if it's all been sold by now but if you get the opportunity to taste it I would recommend you take it. It's easily my favourite English red. Cherry and raspberry on the nose with a hint of vanilla from subtle oaking. It's got great intensity of colour and is much fuller bodied than you would normally expect in an English red. I couldn't resist buying another bottle! TAKE ME TO SEE THE WINES NOW. Peter Wood of thetastingnote.com wrote in May 2011: I tried the first certified Biodynamic wine from England, the 2010 Sedlescombe First Release.
This blend of Bacchus, Rivaner and Solaris, it offers out fresh underripe pear and banana skin. A light buttery note too, with lemongrass. A clean palate, some lemon, grapefruit and little bit of granite coming through the sweeter apple flavours. A little bit of alcohol, but it cleans up quite well for a long finish peppered with sweet and minerally notes. 7/10
The main thing you should take from this is it doesn't matter if it is biodynamic, English or made from three grape varieties that everywhere seems to shun, this is a bloody good wine. Maybe it is a couple of pounds overpriced at £13, but I can forgive this as English wine is a cottage industry and that you would be happy paying £30 for this in a restaurant.
Winemaker, and English Organic pioneer, Roy Cook has done a really good job here, and should be rightly proud of his creation.
Our customers have been equally complimentary: "We have been ordering wine from Sedlescombe for the last 3 years; not only is the service excellent but the wine is highly recommended too; we give the wine to our customers as Christmas gifts and they are beautifully presented and many of our customer remark on how good it is. We will certainly be ordering again next year too!"
Claire Lane, JIS Europe Ltd (W. Sussex) 14th Nov. 2011 "I wanted to say that I presented the biodynamic wine tasting for Slow Food on Monday 16th, which included your 'First Release' wine. It was very well-received, and all were impressed by the exotic flavours of peach and crystallized citrus fruits. I was particularly impressed with the depth and freshness of fruit, showing none of the boiled sweet confection I get from many English wines. It was one of the stars of the tasting. Thanks".
Gilbert Winfield AIWS, BSc
Association of Wine Educators
Circle of Wine Writers. 20th May 2011 "I just wanted to send you a small note to thank you and James (I think that was his name!) for the wonderful tour of your vineyard. As you know, we were celebrating our friend's "hen party" and you helped to make the weekend very special for her.
We all enjoyed the tour and the bluebell walk was just perfect, as were the wines!
Thanks for all your efforts.They were hugely appreciated.
Kind regards",
Jo Martin 6th May 2009 "Hi there, Just to let you know that the box of wines that I ordered only yesterday, arrived this morning, in perfect condition. Thank you for an excellent service (I don't need to comment on the wines themselves, as I've
enjoyed them hugely in the past!)
Kind regards"
Pam Williams 18th August 2010 "Hello Roy,
I just wanted to say thank You for your service and attention to my request. The gift voucher arrived on time and the recipient was exceptionally delighted with it.
Many thanks"
Yvonne Elliott 29th July 2009 "I just wanted to say myself and three friends had lunch at Powdermills on Saturday and ordered your white organic wine. It was absolutely delicious, really lovely and just wanted to let you know.
Next time they are in this neck of the woods will be doing it again and rest assured we will definitely be ordering Sedlescombe Organic!"
Mary Hooton 30th March 2010 MY PERSONAL GUARANTEE:
As proprietor and wine maker at Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard I know that our reputation as the UK's leading producer of organic English wines is totally dependent upon the full satisfaction of each and every one of our customers. That is why I give you my personal guarantee that if any of these wines fail to meet your expectations, or those of the recipient of your gift, we will make an immediate, no questions asked, refund in full.
TAKE ME TO SEE THE WINES NOW. Roy Cook
 
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