A Yorkshire Vineyard in 2006
Wine cultivation in England, even in the North, is not new. The
Romans made wine here, as did Cistercian and Benedictine monks.
A former Chemistry teacher, George Bowden, has established a
vineyard in Yorkshire, on a south-facing slope covering six acres
close to Leeds.
It's known as the Leventhorpe vineyard. There are three other
Yorksire vineyards. The newest is near Malton, north of the county
- the Ryedale vineyard.
Bowden's wine has won numerous medals. Oz Clarke found Bowden's
Seyval 2001 the best of several wines in a televised blind tasting.
He was given a selection of wines priced from £3 to £15 from
wine-growing regions around the world, and chose the Seyval
2001 (normally selling at £6) as the best.
"Wines of the Week" (DT, 8 Jul 06) included the 2004 Leventhorpe
Madeleine Angevine (this is the grape variety). 11.5% alc.
Contact details- Leventhorpe vineyard, Bullerthorpe Lane,
Woodlesford, Leeds. 0113 288 9088.
ND comment - you
don't need 99p coins, either, when buying his wine, which is a
good sign....
For more information on English wine, see www.englishwineproducers.com
Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
