Chase Vodka beat off 100s of other contenders to scoop the World’s Best Vodka title at the prestigious San Francisco Spirits Competition in 2010. But then, this Herefordshire spirit has been a bit of a head-turner from the start. Originally its sole ingredient – potatoes – were simply sold as…

Chapel Pleck may be a new name for what was Ribston Lawn (seen here in the picture), but it’s the same delectable bottle-fermented perry inside. Created by emerging cider and perry maestro Simon Day at Once Upon a Tree, the good news is that this year’s harvest isn’t going to…

Recently I had the good fortune to chat with David Briscoe, founder of the fledgling Wareside Wines in Hertfordshire. He sent me his 2010 Bacchus – that all-important “second vintage” which, considering it’s coming from such young vines, shows some good promise. Not overly complex, it is water-white in the…

This is the most popular of the five styles of mead created by the people at Lurgashall, a winery who specialises in traditional English liqueurs, meads and fruit wines made from natural ingredients. English Honey Mead certainly identifies with the honey that it comes from, thanks to a satisfyingly pungent…

A full blooded beer which packs in more flavour than you would think the alcohol would warrant. Copper in colour, Old Hooky is rounded and fruity – cooked plum and spiced apples – with malt backbone and a balanced slug of hops on the finish. Fine solo but great also…

The latest vintage of the wine that beat Burgundy on BBC’s The One Show, this is a great red on the lighter side of life. So, when you want a break from the oaky big boys, head for its dark fruits and elegant seam of acidity. A hint of savoury notes…

Biddenden Sparkling Cider is bottle fermented in the traditional method to create a dry, refreshing cider, ideally enjoyed chilled. It’s surprisingly strong at 10.5% meaning that it stands up to food well, while it also naturally makes an excellent aperitif. 75cl/RRP £10.90. Available direct from Biddenden Vineyard’s shop, its online shop and…

It’s rather fun to think you are drinking history. But then I guess beer’s long been such a central part of our community, that I guess it’s not that surprising that in well-organised breweries such as London’s oldest, Fuller’s, there are some gems to be unearthed. In the week that…

From a wee Edinburgh brewing company, this is a traditional Scottish ale, brewed with an eye to older styles of beer rather than the currently trendy hop monsters. Knops use four different malts in brewing Musselburgh Broke, which is named for the racecourse at Musselburgh, just east of Edinburgh. The…

The essence of Irish whiskey is the smooth texture, which comes from the triple distillation process. Bushmills 10 is a fine example; the rough edges, the fiery finish which you might find after just two distillations has been rounded and softened, giving a malt which is all too easy to…

Something distinctive from Penderyn, the Welsh whisky pioneers. After an initial spell in ex-Buffalo Trace bourbon casks, this, its house style, finishes with six months in ex-Madeira casks. It’s a light dram, and very smooth to taste – there’s no burn in it at all. A young and fresh tasting…

This is a solid simple cider from the people at Blaengawney Farm and it’s little wonder that it’s built up a firm following (it’s been given its very own Hallets Real Cider website independent of its producer). A rich amber liquid, – which incidentally perfectly matches its brown bottle –…

The first Ulverston beer not to be named after a Laurel & Hardy film or phrase, instead Celebration Ale was brewed to commemorate the unveiling in 2009 of the famous pair’s statue by Graham Ibbeson outside the museum of the same name. It’s a biscuity light golden ale with clean, hoppy bitterness…

Made from 100 percent Blakeney Red perry pears from Dragon Orchard in Herefordshire, Priggles Perry is still, medium dry and pale gold in appearance. A slightly suggestive scrumpy nose is followed by caramelised pears and citrus notes on the palate, making way for a soft and delicate finish. It would…

Oliver’s Perry has intriguingly delicate aromas, as is often the way with Perry, light citrus – lemonade – through to a mellow tropical fruit – melon/guava/pineapple. Even elderflower. Light to medium body, this has a little sweetness and light texture from the tannins. One to enjoy on its own or with…

Named after Thornbridge co-founder Jim Harrison’s honeymoon destination, Jaipur is lively, green and hoppy with a citrussy twinge. Picking up gongs since it first burst onto the scene, it’s easy to see why this makes such an impression. Classy and vibrant.  5.9%

In keeping with founder Alastair Hook’s desire to put London back on the brewing map, his IPA is brewed near the docks from where the original India Pale Ale set off on its journey to sustain the ale-lovers out in India. With plenty of Fuggles and Golding hops on the…

Made with 15% St Peter’s Honey Porter, this Suffolk Mud wholegrain mustard is a fine example of the classic flavour combination. Aromatic, packed with coarse grains, and underpinned with a mild heat, it is a versatile mustard that can and should be spread thickly at will – in sausage sandwiches,…

A tasty addition to the Suffolk Mud range, this chutney contains 11% of St Peters Best Bitter, the addition of which gives an otherwise light and fruity condiment some meaty depth and a lasting finish. Plump sultanas, sweet onions, apricots and yellow mustard seeds are all bundled into this jar,…

Copper in colour with appealing ripe orchard fruit on the nose, Otter Head is initially fruity with a vibrant hop hit and medium maltiness, finishing clean and satisfying.  Available in bottled form from regional Waitrose & Tesco stores and local farm shops.  5.8%

The signature blend – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – from RidgeView, the Sussex-based award winners. Expect some nice complexity here because of the two years spent resting calmly on the lees in RidgeView’s cellars prior to bottling. All apricot and pastry on the nose, the palate is one…