Carter's Vineyards

Carter's Vineyards produce an extensive range of fine wine from the Essex Countryside. Though not quite Narnia, Carter's Vineyards is an enchanting place comprising of 40 acres of vines, wildflower meadows, lakes and woodlands.

Headed by Ben Bunting, Carter's Vineyards is run by a small group who share the passion for the vineyard and are committed to producing wine of only the highest quality. These wines include Carter's Sparkling Brut, Rose, King Coel, Colchester Rose and many more. These wines are the absolute surefire way to represent the very best wine of Colchester and East Anglia.

The wines produced have received a wide variety of awards. These include the King Coel 2003 being awarded the Gold Medal from the East Anglian Wine of the Year 2006 competition.

Wine can be purchased online and you can also pay visit to Carter's Vineyards and have a short tour to get an idea of their wine making process. There's even a tasting session.

For more information, click here.

Aspall Cyder

Though not a fond drinker of cider, I have an unhealthy addiction to vinegar. I will put it on almost anything and will happily drink it out of one of those bottles.

Here we have Aspall Cyder. Inherited in 1725, the Chevallier (currently in their eighth generation) continue to produce high quality cyder. Among cyder, they also produce a range of award winning apple juice and vinegars. Their product range has won over 20 awards since 2000. These awards include Worlds Best Cider, numerous Q awards and Soil Association Awards.

While uncommonly produced anymore, Aspall Cyder (yes, there is a difference between Cyder and Cider) is the only Cyder to ‘Supreme Winner’ at the International Beer and Cider Competition. Aspall's vinegar range is further boosted by wine vinegar imported from the Rioja region of Spain and balsamic vinegar imported from Modena, Italy.

Their apple juice is available through local stores, delicatessens, Tesco and Asda in the East Anglia region, and can also be found nationally in health food stores. Their cider can be found in supermarkets such as Sainsbury, Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose. For all you willing to go the distance, their cyder can even be purchased in Australia and on the west coast of America!

For more info, click here.

Shalford Brewery

This is for all you ale enthusiasts out there! No matter how slightly disturbing their fox mascot may look, Shalford Brewery has been brewing fine Essex Ales since July 2007 using only the best quality ingredients.

Nigel Lawes has been an ale enthusiast all of his adult life and is passionate about the process of brewing staying to the original method as close as possible. He uses the finest malt, hops and yeast to create interesting, different and traditional real ales for the discerning real ale drinker. Since commencing brewing, Shalford have been nominated and shortlisted for Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival 2008.

Shalford produce a range of Bottle Conditioned Beers like the Barnfield Bitter, Levelly Black and Rotten End (Im sure it's nicer than it sounds). The George Inn, the closest pub to the brewery stock draught Shalford beers. A range of bottled beers can also be purchased at these stores:

The Shalford Village Stores.
The Blue Egg Great Bardfield.
Greenstead Green Farm Shop.
Farmer Browns Farm Shop Mount Bures.
Lords Farm Shop.

For more information, click here.