Could a small corner of Essex, better known for Maldon salt and marshes, become England's Côte d'Or? Above, a view of the River Crouch and its estuary from the top of the south-facing Martin's Lane Vineyard in September 2022.
The first mention of the Crouch Valley on JancisRobinson.com was in September 2019. In Julia’s tasting note on a 2017 Chardonnay made at London urban winery Blackbook by US-born winemaker Sergio Verrillo, she wrote, ‘Really impressive to be able to have fruit quality that will handle this style of winemaking. Long, smoky and super-fresh on the finish. I would never have put...