Hop and a skip to quaffability

Where once stood the giant hop trellises in Kent, there are now measured lines of trained vines, which are producing strikingly good wines from God's chosen county, says Jonathan Ray

- Jonathan Ray

SIX OF THE BEST FROM KENT

1698 SHEPHERD NEAME KENTISH STRONG ALE

(£1.85 per 50cl, Sainsbury's)

A rich, fruity, triple-hopped, bottle-conditioned ale to linger over after dinner.

KENTISH PIP CRAFTSMAN CIDER

(£15 per 6x33cl, kentishpip.co.uk)

From orchards near Canterbury, a light, sparkling gem to make you fall in love with cider again.

2021 SIMPSONS GRAVEL CASTLE CHARDONNAY

(£16, Wine Society)

A bonedry, unoaked Chardonnay to make the vignerons of Chablis sweat.

GRANTS MORELLA CHERRY BRANDY LIQUEUR

(£23.85 per 50cl, Southern Wines)

A gloriously rich and rewarding liqueur made in Kent for almost 250 years.

2020 GUSBOURNE PINOT NOIR

(£35, Gusbourne Estate) 

Don't let anyone tell you that the UK can't produce fine reds: this is a belter.

2018 HERBERT HALL BRUT ROSÉ

(£39.50, Lea & Sandeman)

Outrageously tasty traditional-method pink fizz from the wonderful Nick Hall in Marden.