What better time to share Sussex food and drink with family and friends than during the festive season, writes Nick Mosley. From sparkling wines that will make a party pop through to ice cream ‘Christmas puds’ as an alternative dessert, whether you’re gifting or planning for the table here are his top picks.
Dedbest distillery’s GINgerbread liqueur
I have to say this is my star product of the year… and that is high praise indeed. Lewes distiller Damian Best shared a tasting with me in October and my tastebuds went into overdrive with luxurious sweet and spicy notes of cinnamon and caramel. It’s actually made with real gingerbread that is steeped in gin before filtering and reducing the gin to a more accessible 21% ABV making it perfect for boozy coffees and hot chocolate, a dessert addition or simply over ice. Its literally Christmas in a glass! Priced £27 and available online at www.dedbestdistillery.com.
Rathfinny Wine Estate and Pump Street’s ‘Bread & Wine’ package
Well this was a new one on me. I’ve had sea salt chocolate before but never sea salt and sourdough. The thought of putting breadcrumbs into chocolate is interesting to say the least but thats exactly what the confectionary and cake wizards at Pump Street have done.
Although Pump Street are based in Suffolk, they have partnered with East Sussex’s Rathfinny Wine Estate for a festive pairing pack featuring the award-winning Rosé Brut 2019 – a sparkling wine with notes of clementine and red berry fruits. Priced at £55, its a thoughtfully curated gift offering understated luxury. Check out Rathfinny’s website for a range of festive hampers and – of course – all of their wines: www.rathfinnyestate.com.
Real ale at home courtesy of Three Acre Brewery
The boys at Three Acre Brewery really have gone from strength to strength since their tentative beginnings in 2019. Based in Blackboys near Uckfield, their relentless energy and clear talent for brewing both traditional and modern modern style ales, bitters and stouts. So I was excited to hear that this Christmas they are offering seven of their beers – including a Christmas old ale – in five litre mini casks, making them perfect for entertaining or simply to top up your glass whilst watching the telly. Casks are priced at £28 and available to order online at www.threeacrebrewery.com.
‘The Big Boy’ from Curing Rebels
Another local company that has made waves in recent years is Curing Rebels, a Portslade-based charcuterie producer that supplies to restaurants and also direct to consumers. Although we might typically think of cured meats coming from France, Spain and Italy, over the past decade or so there’s been a new-wave of artisans across the UK replicating traditional continental styles and also bringing their own flair.
‘The Big Boy’ is a box of Curing Rebels most-loved products including Great Taste award winners Do Ya and Hunters salami. Although most of the 13 products are cured meat, there’s also smoked cheese, butter and salmon included. Priced at £79 and available from www.curingrebels.com.
Stopham Estate’s Pinot Gris 2023
Stopham has been a firm favourite on my table – festive or otherwise – for more years than I can remember. Founded way back in 2007 by Simon Woodhead, this sustainable vineyard and winery near Pulborough produces sparkling wines and consistently some of the very best still wines coming out of England.
Their Stopham Pinot Gris 2023 is a deliciously aromatic white wine for the festive season, bursting with juicy fruit flavours – think tropical mango and stone fruits – its perfectly balanced with a crisp natural acidity. A perfect pairing for roast turkey, pulled pork and blue cheese, its also robust enough to accompany more spicy dishes. Priced at £19.95 from www.stophamvineyard.co.uk
Be Chocolat
I have to say I’ve never been the biggest fan of chocolate but when my colleague dragged me along to Be Chocolat at 15 Duke Street, Brighton in the summer, in an instant my mind was changed forever. Master chocolatier Michel Clement produces utterly astounding caramels, pralines and ganaches before your very eyes – in my opinion it knocks the socks off anywhere else in the city, and made even better that they can accommodate for vegan and gluten dietaries. This festive season they have a range of beautifully packaged gift boxes starting at £22 for 150g and going all the way up to £190 for 2kg. If any friends are reading this then I’ll prefer the latter rather than the former… Buy online at www.bechocolatbrighton.com
Roebuck Estates
Possibly the most picturesque of all Sussex vineyards, Roebuck Estates’ farm at Tillington near Pulborough has a mesmerising view of the Downs from its south facing slopes; its a bit chilly now to visit them but make a date in your calendar for a tour and tasting in the spring. Safe to say, not only is the vineyard a feast for the eyes but also a feast for the palate with a range of impressive vintage traditional method sparkling wines that are scooping awards in the UK and internationally. My personal favourite is their Rosé de Noirs 2018 – with notes of strawberry, cranberry, red cherries and a hint of almond – making it perfect not only for a sparking Sussex aperitif but also an accompaniment to the main dinner event – don’t be scared about pairing sparkling wines with the main course… that’s exactly what the French do with Champagne. Rosé de Noirs 2018 is priced at £42 from www.roebuckestates.co.uk.
Turkeys from The Sussex Peasant
With a passion for all things local, seasonal and sustainble, Ed Johnstone – founder of The Sussex Peasant – has firmly established his roaming farm shop as staple for food lovers. Each week you can find The Sussex Peasant truck and mini market at locations across Brighton and Hove, Cuckfield, Ditchling, Danehill, Lewes and Danehill. Working only with small, hand-picked farmers and producers in Sussex, the ethos and quality are second-to-none.
This year, Ed will be selling turkeys farmed by Will Sheffield at the off-grid Meadowbrook Farm located in Waldron, East Sussex. They produce award-winning free range, slow grown bronze turkeys, which are dry plucked and hung for a minimum of 10 days giving them their award winning flavour. They come with all their giblets inside. Prices range from £77 to £125 and can be pre-ordered from www.thesussexpeasant.co.uk. Also do check out their locations for lots and lots of fantastic, lovingly made produce for the table or gifting.
Festive cases from Butlers Wine Cellar
I’ve been ordering wines from Henry and Cassie at Butlers Wine Cellar in St Georges Road, Kemp Town for as long as I can remember. A truly independent vintner, Henry has been working in the family business for over 40 years. Each month they curate one or two mixed cases of six bottles starting at around £70 but for Christmas there are three options ranging from £78 through to a premium option at £210. Knowing full well that you want perfect wines to pair with festive food, each case features a sparkling wine, crisp whites, rich reds and an after dinner port plus Cassie has put together tasting notes. Great wines to make memorable moments from www.butlers-winecellar.co.uk.
Ice cream ‘puds’ from Boho Gelato
Undoubtably my favourite ice cream shop – whether in Brighton or the world – Boho Gelato never fails to impress with its ever-rotating range of Italian-style ice creams, sorbets and granitas. Although typically around 20 flavours are available each day at the Pool Valley and Ship Street stores, owner Seb Cole has well over 1000 recipes up his sleeve and is never afraid to experiment. Pleasingly there’s also a good offering of vegan gelato, and I challenge anyone to spot the difference on a blind tasting. This year, Seb’s festive puds – his take on a bombe glacé – come in six flavours and start at a very affordable £20. They are available to order in advance and are guaranteed to be a tasty talking point. Order in advance from www.bohogelato.co.uk.
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