downsmail.co.uk


Winemakers celebrate a hot summer but fear hail


THE scorching hot summer is promising to be a wine-maker’s dream. Hush Heath producer Richard


Balfour-Lynn,who started thewin- ery in Staplehurst as a hobby more than 15 years ago, reckons a bumper harvest is in the offing. But hewill bepraying that a break


in the blistering temperatures is not accompaniedby a hail storm,which could devastate his crop. Mr Balfour-Lynn, pictured on the


terrace of the vineyard’s visitor cen- tre and shop, said: “We are looking at a record harvest this year, com- pared to our previous best in 2006. “We have been frost-free, disease-


free, but the biggest riskwe face is a hail storm,which could damage the grapes big time.” That southernEnglandis overtak-


ing theChampagne region of France for sparklingwines is “over-stated”, saysMr Balfour-Lynn. “That’s some way away,” he


added. “But in 30 or 40 years’ time with global warming continuing, then Iwould say yes.


“To make sparkling wine you


need a temperate climate. If it’s too hot, the sun converts the sugars into alcohol and you end upwith awine more like those of the New World which is stronger than the tradi- tional champagne.” Winemakers do notwelcome hot,


damp conditions, as it increases the risk of mildew or rot. Very warm, dry conditions reduce thewater con- tent of the grape andincrease the in- tensity of flavour.


Annual English wine sales stand


at £130m from about five million bottles, but the exportmarket is still relatively small. However,


two large French


Champagne houses,Vranken-Pom- mery and Tattinger, have acknowl- edged the rise in English sparkling wine production by investing in it. Hush Heath is a 400-acre estate,


with 120 acres given over to vines. It produces 350,000 bottles annually fromits chardonnay, pinot noir and pinotmeunier varieties.About 80% of production is for sparklingwhite wines. Wineries have become established


all over Kent and Sussex in recent years, with Chapel Down, Redhill Estate andtheBiddendenVineyards becoming respected growers. Julian Barnes of the Biddenden


Vineyards, which produces up to 70,000 bottles ofmostlywhitewine, said: “We anticipate harvesting ear- lier this year because of theweather. Of course,we’d like a bit of rain but not endless, endless downpours. And definitely no hail!”


News Guides’ plea


ADULT volunteers are needed from September by the 2nd Loose Guides. Anyone interested in sparing


time monthly, weekly or less fre- quently should get in touch. Meetings start at 7pm and are


only during school termtime. If you can help or would like to


offer services in other areas, contact boughtonvaledivision@girlguid- ingkentweald.org.uk


Holiday fun


YALDING’S summer play scheme runs until Friday,August 17. Aimed at primary school chil-


dren, it is held on weekdays. The cost is £5 per day and young ones enjoy messy play, music, table ten- nis, outdoor sports and water fights.Call Linda Gilbert on 0790981794 to see if there are places left.


Garden show


THE Loose Gardeners’ Society’s summer showisheldat the allotment site at Old LooseHill, onAugust 11. Gates open at 2pmand admission is 50p. There will be prize-winning plants toview, stalls, raffle and pro- duce to buy.


Kent Land & Planning is an award-winning planning consultant and property developer.


How much is your


land worth?


Email info@kentlandplanning.co.uk Call 01622 397987


Our aim is to help you to maximise the value of your land or property, while keeping the process as straightforward as possible.


Get in touch for a FREE land appraisal if you think you have some land or a property which may be suitable.


Visit www.kentlandplanning.co.uk Maidstone Weald August 2018 3


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