MONMOUTHSHIRE and news from EAT
VINEYARDS TO CELEBRATE SUCCESS AT ‘HOME-GROWN’ WINE AWARDS
Wales’ growing reputation as a top quality wine producer is to be celebrated at the inaugural Welsh Vineyard Association annual competition. Held at Llanerch Vineyard in the Vale of
Glamorgan on October 28, 2013, and judged by some of the top names in the wine world, the competition will feature entries from members of the newly re-formed Welsh Vineyard Association. Wales now boasts 17 vineyards, the
majority of which have already joined the WVA. “Welsh wines are defi nitely gaining in
stature and reputation, and Wales is now producing wine to rival anything that can be found anywhere in the world,” said WVA chairman Richard Morris, who with his wife Joy runs the multi-award winning Ancre Hill Estates vineyard near Monmouth, one of only two biodynamic vineyards in the UK. Ancre Hill is among the growing band
of Welsh vineyards which have seen their achievements acknowledged on the international stage, and last year its 2008 Sparkling White was named ‘Best White Sparkling Wine in the World’ at the Bollicine
del Mondo International competition in Italy. The estate has also been awarded its fi rst
International Gold medal at the China Wine & Spirits Awards held in Hong Kong. Mr Morris said: “It is an exciting time for
the Welsh wine industry, we have a growing number of vineyards the length and breadth of Wales – some have been established some time while others are still very young. Also the sunny weather we had this summer produced a magnifi cent crop of grapes which bodes very well for next year’s wines.” While the inaugural competition has yet to
take place the momentum continues to grow and the WVA has its sights on the future with plans to expand the organisation’s membership and the scope of the annual competition. Mr Morris said: “It is incredibly important
we as an association and producers move forward. We hope to attract non vineyard members too – people interested in wine and Welsh food and drink – and our aim is for the WVA annual competition to become an international event with Welsh and international classes.”
New dawn for the Crown at Whitebrook
Chris Harrod (pictured), who trained under the world famous Raymond Blanc, has opened The Crown at Whitebrook with a complete new look and approach. Chris, aged 39, who developed his chef’s skills while
working at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, in Oxfordshire has transformed the former Michelin starred restaurant. A fi rst appointment, as front of house manager, is Exeter
College catering graduate of the year Steve Mason, who also worked at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and was head waiter and maitre d at the two Michelin star The Ledbury, in London. Chris said he has been thrilled with the response to the
opening of the restaurant which he says is a restaurant ‘of its time and of its place’. “It is a dream come true for me to have my own place
after working for many years learning my craft in some of the best restaurants in the land,” he said. “We have had some brilliant feedback from customers,
The Hardwick wins again! WALNUT TREE RETAINS
some who have been the restaurant in the past and other coming for the fi rst time, who are all saying that they are loving what we’ve done to the restaurant complimenting us on the food and the intense fl avours we’re creating from the locally sourced produce and generally loving what we’re doing here at The Crown at Whitebrook.”
12 pages of recipes around the county
ITS MICHELIN STAR The Walnut Tree, near Abergavenny, has retained its Michelin star following the publication of the recent Michelin Guide UK and Ireland 2014. The restaurant, which is run by chef Shaun Hill, is one
of only three in Wales to hold the prestigious accolade. The others are The Checkers, Montgomery, and Tyddyn Llan, in Denbighshire. The Walnut Tree was also the top scoring restaurant in Monmouthshire in the Good Food Guide 2014 with a cooking score of six. Other restaurants from the county included in the guide
were The Hardwick, Abergavenny (five); The Foxhunter, Nantyderry (four); The Bell at Skenfrith (four); and Restaurant 1861 (three). Others closeby include The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon (four) and Junction 28, Newport (two). Other local restaurants which get a mention in the new
T
he Hardwick restaurant, near Abergavenny, has been named the best restaurant in Wales in the 2013 National Restaurant Awards for the second year running.
The Hardwick, run by chef Stephen Terry (pictured) and his wife Joanna, was of three
from Wales named in the list of the UK’s top 100 places to eat. It was ranked 20th with The Walnut Tree, at Llandewi Skirrid, run by Shaun Hill, in 28th place. The other Welsh restaurant in the top 100 was Tyddyn Llan, in Denbighshire, which was
65th on the list. 42
Michelin Guide include: LLansantffraed Court, Abergavenny; The Angel, Abergavenny; Restaurant 1861, Cross Ash; The Foxhunter; The Inn at Penallt, Monmouth; The Stonemill, Rockfield; The Bell at Skenfrith; Glen-yr-Afon House, Usk; The Raglan Arms, Llandenny; The White Hart Village Inn, Llangybi; Newbridge on Usk, Tredunnock; Others close by include: The Felin Fach Griffin, Peterstone
Court, Felin Glais (all Brecon); Gliffaes Country House, The Bear, Glangrwyney Court, Ty Gwyn (all Crickhowell); Celtic Manor Resort (Newport).
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