The Journal

English Sparkling Wine terms; your quick guide from Balfour

Ever wondered what non-vintage really means? Or phrases like Brut, Blanc de Blancs or even how you can have a red Sparkling Wine?

Get into the Spring Mindset with England’s Best Pinot Noir

There’s nothing quite like a sunny spring day to lift your spirits and get you appreciating things in vivid colour. After months of cold and dark, spring does truly feel transformational and life becomes a lot, well, lighter. And this means that there’s really no better time to dive into the delicate, vibrant flavours of English Pinot Noir. English Pinot Noir: Precision and patience Pinot Noir is a notoriously finicky grape to grow and make into wine in England due to a climate that is far too cool, damp and unpredictable. Needing long, consistent growing seasons, England’s wet summers and late frosts can cause issues with the grapes. Despite the challenges, we’ve mastered the craft with Luke’s Pinot Noir 2023, which Balfour Head Winemaker Fergus Elias describes as “a simply very good Pinot Noir” that holds its own against Pinot Noirs from around the globe. This vintage was the result of a cooler summer that held back ripening. The season miraculously turned in the autumn and our vineyards were blessed with some more sun just in time for us to deliver this incredible wine. As a testament to its greatness, Luke’s Pinot Noir took home Silver at the International Pinot Noir Challenge – the highest award achieved by an English wine in 2025. An exceptional feat for an English Red. Flavours Perfectly Matched to Spring Made from French clones grown on Wealden clay, Luke’s Pinot Noir marries New World richness with a distinctly English character. A thoughtful mix of French and American oak lends it a savoury complexity, balancing depth with delicacy. On the nose, it offers a classic, delicately aromatic cool-climate profile. The palette is of red berry fruits: tart cherry and juicy raspberry mingle with a touch of baking spice, while spicy vanilla and soft yet firm tannins round out the experience. This taste profile, with lively acidity, bright, zesty fruit and subtle earthiness, mirrors the feeling of walking through the woods on a clear, crisp spring day. This all makes it a true springtime favourite. We want you to experience these flavours for yourself at this perfectly suited time of year, so we’re delighted to offer a special discount on Luke’s Pinot Noir 2023. You can now get your hands on a bottle of Luke’s Pinot Noir for just £22.50! Food pairings for Luke’s Pinot Noir 2023 Best served slightly chilled, Luke’s Pinot Noir is versatile enough to pair with lighter spring meals. Think white meats, roast vegetables, earthy mushrooms, or herby lamb. With Easter just around the corner, a cool glass of ruby-red Pinot Noir would pair perfectly with lunch. Here are some recipes we’ve selected to pair perfectly with this wine: Slow-Cooked Lamb with Pomegranate This recipe includes gently roasted lamb with herbs and a splash of white wine making it light in flavor. This gives space for our elegant Pinot to shine rather than be overshadowed. The addition of pomegranate seeds brings sweet-tart pops that mirror the wine’s vibrant acidity, making every bite-and-sip feel like a natural duet. And because Luke’s Pinot Noir truly comes alive with a slight chill, the tangy yoghurt and fresh herbs in this dish lift the whole pairing. Mushroom & Herb Tart This dish is a perfect match for a light, chilled Pinot Noir like Luke’s. The buttery, tangy pastry and savoury mushrooms will bring out the wine’s subtle earthy notes, while the Gruyère adds a richness that’s cut beautifully by its vibrant acidity. The fresh herbs lift the dish and echo the wine’s red fruit and floral tones. Chilled down, the Pinot stays crisp and refreshing against the tart’s warm, creamy texture. It’s a pairing that’s elegant, earthy, and effortlessly balanced. Lentil Salad with Roasted Veggies and Goat Cheese This Lentil Salad with Roasted Veggies and Goat Cheese is a perfect spring pairing for a chillable, vibrant Pinot Noir. As the season shifts and we crave something a little lighter, this salad’s lentils, sweet roasted veg, and fresh herbs echo the wine’s red fruit and subtle savoury notes. The tangy dressing will play to our Pinot’s vibrant acidity, while creamy goat cheese adds just enough richness to balance it all out. It’s fresh, satisfying, and full of spring energy.

Veganuary & Vegan Wine Pairing

Veganuary: A Good or Bad Thing for Wine Lovers? Veganuary is here, and if you’re taking on the challenge to cut back on meat and dairy, what does that mean for your wine drinking? Surprisingly, not all wines are vegan – in fact, some aren’t even suitable for vegetarians. If you’re looking to reduce your animal product consumption this January (or beyond), it’s worth considering what’s in your glass. At Balfour, we’re proud to say that all our wines, beers, and ciders are vegan-friendly. And there are some incredible pairings to be had with vegan dishes. Read on to find out more. What Makes a Wine Vegan? It all comes down to fining. During the winemaking process, residue (like leftover yeast and other particles) can be left in the liquid. To remove this, winemakers use fining agents, which vary in their origins Non-Vegan Options: Some traditional fining agents include isinglass (a fish-derived substance), which makes the wine unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans. Other common agents include egg whites or casein (a milk protein), making wines vegetarian but not vegan. Vegan-Friendly Fining: Vegan wines use alternatives like mineral- or clay-based agents, or sometimes skip fining altogether (common in natural wines). At Balfour, we exclusively use vegan-friendly methods for fining. What Can I Enjoy with My Vegan Wines? Pairing wine and food is one of life’s greatest pleasures. At Balfour, we believe in the adage: “What grows together, goes together.” Seasonal vegetables and plant-based dishes can make for unforgettable pairings with our wines. Here are three vegan dishes to try, perfectly paired with some of our standout wines: Liberty’s Bacchus 2023 Pair with a pea and mint risotto topped with a drizzle of lemon-infused olive oil. The crisp, herbal notes of Bacchus beautifully complement the fresh, vibrant flavours of this dish. Luke’s Pinot Noir 2023 Enjoy with a roasted butternut squash and sage tart, served alongside caramelised onions. The soft red fruit and earthy undertones of Luke’s Pinot enhance the sweetness and warmth of the squash. Balfour Blanc de Blancs 2018 Pair with a cauliflower and almond velouté, garnished with toasted almonds and truffle oil. The rich creaminess of the velouté balances the crisp, elegant acidity of this vintage sparkling wine. Whether you’re celebrating Veganuary or simply looking to explore vegan wines and dishes, Balfour Winery offers something for every palate. Here’s to a delicious and compassionate start to 2025.

‘Complex, challenging, rewarding… An English Classic’ – Balfour Winery Harvest Report 2024

The 2024 Harvest has come to an end. This year is one of contrasts, with some hidden gems to be uncovered. Find out more, in our Harvest Report…

Introducing Sage’s Ortega – England’s ‘Rising Star’

Introducing the brand-new addition to our range, Sage’s Ortega. A grape to get excited about…

Find Your Perfect Sparkling Wine with Balfour Winery’s ‘Sparkle for Every Scene’

Balfour Winery is delighted to introduce an innovative way to enhance your wine experience with our Sparkle for Every Scene campaign.

Why you should celebrate International Albariño Day

August 1st is International Albariño Day, and you may not think of English Wine when you think of this Iberian grape. But things are changing… And there are some good reasons way.

1503: Discover the range, exclusively at Dan Murphy’s

Established in 1503, Hush Heath Manor has been the Balfour-Lynn family home since the 1980s.

Woodland In The Winery: Everything You Need To Know

Are you visiting our Woodland In The Winery Festival this summer? Then read on for the full details…

Balfour Winery Becomes First BRCGS-Accredited UK Vineyard

At Balfour Winery, we’re thrilled to share the fantastic news that we have become the first vineyard in the UK to achieve the prestigious BRCGS full accreditation. This significant milestone marks a new chapter of growth and excellence for our state-of-the-art site in Kent.

Balfour Winery sees record medal haul at International Wine Challenge

We are delighted to announce a record-breaking haul for Balfour Winery at this year’s International Wine Challenge.

Introducing Nature’s Perfect Pairing; Nannette’s Rosé

This summer, we want to help reintroduce wildflower meadows to parts of the UK, by supporting local wildlife charities through sales of Nannette’s Rosé – one of England’s finest pinks.

Balfour Wine Escapes

Discover the easiest, and most enjoyable, way to explore one of the world’s most exciting wine regions – England. Enjoy exceptional food, views, accommodation and, of course, wine throughout a chosen weekend, basing yourself in one of the South East’s most picturesque locations. And discover more about viticulture, food and wine pairing, our landscape and even your own tastes.

Balfour showcases new logo and look

Introducing our fresh new look at Balfour. We’re delighted to announce our new logo and branding at Balfour Winery.

Four Spring Recipes With The Perfect Wine Pairing

Food is at its most flavoursome when it is in season. Eating local, seasonal produce is not just delicious, it can also reduce food miles, plastic packaging, and support your community.

1503: Discover the range, exclusively at Majestic

About 1503 Established in 1503, Hush Heath Manor has been the Balfour-Lynn family home since the 1980s.

Spread Some Joy, with Balfour’s The Goudhurst Inn

This Christmas at The Goudhurst Inn we want to give a little something back. So if you know a local family who have gone above and beyond for our community in 2023, please let us know. We’d love to invite them, free of charge, to enjoy Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings and award-winning English Wines, on us.

“Breakthrough harvest” for English Wine, declares Balfour

At Balfour we’re toasting a record vintage – which we believe could represent a seismic shift for the industry. But it’s not just the quantity which has blown us away.

Balfour Pubs & Inns – Sparkling Tasting Flight

Thank you for buying a Balfour Winery Tasting Flight in one of our ten superb Balfour Pubs & Inns. Here’s a quick guide to the stunning authentically English Wines you’re about to try. With notes compiled by our Head Winemaker, Fergus Elias.

Balfour Pubs & Inns, Still Tasting Flight

Autumnal English Wine Pairing Guide, from Balfour

Looking to be inspired? Our Autumnal Pairing Guide is here, perfect for a rainy weekend. Autumn means harvest at Balfour. And whilst our team works incredibly hard to bring in this year’s crop, our minds also (inevitably) turn to the wonderful selection of seasonal produce also available at this time of year – and the wines we pair them with.

“Winemakers’ Kitchen” Restaurant To Launch At Balfour Winery

We are delighted to begin to release details of the brand new restaurant coming this winter to Balfour Winery – The Winemakers’ Kitchen.

Balfour Winery Named Amongst England’s Top Visitor Attractions

Balfour Winery Named Amongst England’s Top Visitor Attractions We are delighted to announce that Balfour Winery has been featured English vineyard to be awarded Gold in VisitEngland’s top tourist attractions – as recognised in the organisation’s Accolade Awards.

Step into Autumn, at Balfour

Visit one of England’s “best vineyards” (The Sunday Times) this Autumn for a truly exceptional experience. Autumn is a wonderful time to visit an English Winery, and at Balfour we’re perfectly set-up to welcome you. Whether you’re looking for an indulgent afternoon of seasonal dishes, paired with award-winning wines, or looking to stretch your legs and reconnect with nature on a guided or self-guided vineyard tour.

The start of Harvest 2023 – what to look out for

As we approach the most exciting time of the year at our winery, here’s the inside from our expert team on what to expect. 2023 could be a year to remember for English Wine.

Get to Balfour, in just 45 minutes, with our FREE shuttle bus

Visiting one of England’s “best vineyards” (The Sunday Times) just got even easier, as this August we have launched a free shuttle bus service – so that you can sip award-winning wines, in a stunning vineyard setting, just 45 minutes from central London – without needing to take a car. Our shuttle bus will run from Marden train station every weekend, from August 19th onwards.

Balfour Dining Club Music Sessions: Why are music and wine a match made in heaven?

Wine and music are the perfect pairings because they both have the power to evoke emotions, enhance experiences, and stimulate the senses.

“UK’s best vineyards to visit” – why Balfour is a must

Planning a visit to Balfour Winery?

English Wine Week 2023

7 myths busted, about English Wine – This English Wine Week we’re looking at some of the popular myths about wine (and especially English Wine) – that are hard to shift.

“Inspired by our home…” The story behind our new-look English Wines.

Celebrate English Wine Week at Balfour 17th – 25th June 2023

The annual English Wine Week is a must-know date for all wine lovers in the UK.

Chardonany, love or hate it? Celebrate England’s favourite grape

World Chardonnay Day 2023 is the 25th of May – which is cause for celebration for some, and despair for others. But what makes some people love Chardonnay, and others loathe it. And why is that important for English Wine?

The Importance of Bees, at Balfour Winery

Bees are English Wine’s secret weapon. Here’s how they help make our exceptional Balfour Wines, from the beauty of our Hush Heath Estate.

March 2023 News

An update from Lindy – our Tour Guide Manager and Conservationist March is a wonderful month, spring is on its way, yet the frost has not departed from us just yet. Nonetheless, we have some spectacularly sunny days approaching, be inspired by our wildlife and evade winter hibernation.

Q&A with the winemaker: Valentines Day wine

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so we thought we would catch up with our Head Winemaker Fergus Elias to find out what bottle of Balfour he will be cracking open this 14th February.

February 2023 News

An update from Lindy – our Tour Guide Manager and Conservationist The depths of winter and statistically the coldest month of the year in the UK, February seems a long way from Spring and Summer, but it can also change from sub zero temperatures to much milder conditions within 24 hours and is challenging for nature and wildlife.

January 2023 News

An update from Lindy – our Tour Guide Manager and Conservationist Happy New Year and welcome to Balfour Winery on the beautiful Hush Heath Estate at the beginning of another new year. Although January can be a cold and dark month it is great to be outside discovering nature and winter wildlife.

What is a Vegan wine?

Whether you have chosen to be vegan for environmental and health reasons or you are getting involved in Veganuary this year, we are happy to tell you that all of our wines and Jakes Drinks range are 100% Vegan.

Five Festive Fancies with Balfour Wines

One of the great joys of the festive season is all the snacks and nibbles we get to consume. But whether you are hosting a party or about to put on a classic Christmas movie with some of your favourite yuletide treats, Balfour is here with some perfect food and wine pairings to elevate your Christmas to the tastiest of levels.

December News