Celebrating 15 Years of Excellence: Langham Wine Estate, Dorchester

In the heart of Dorset, nestled within the serene countryside of Dorchester, lies a gem that has been quietly garnering acclaim over the past fifteen years. 

Langham Wine Estate, a testament to the passion and dedication of its founders and team, has firmly established itself as a producer of exceptional English sparkling wines. 

As we celebrate the estate’s 15th anniversary, it's an opportune moment to reflect on its journey, achievements, and the bright future that lies ahead.

A Dream Realised

Langham Wine Estate was founded in 2009 by John Langham, whose vision was to create world-class sparkling wines that could rival the best from Champagne. The estate spans 30 hectares, with meticulously managed vineyards that benefit from the unique microclimate and chalky soils of Dorset. This terroir, coupled with sustainable viticulture practices, forms the foundation of Langham’s distinctive wines.

Award-Winning Excellence

Over the years, Langham Wine Estate has earned a reputation for excellence, consistently winning accolades and awards both nationally and internationally. Their commitment to quality and innovation is evident in every bottle. Notably, Langham was named ‘Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2020, a testament to their relentless pursuit of perfection.

Sustainable Viticulture

Sustainability is at the core of Langham Wine Estate’s philosophy. The team employs organic farming methods, eschewing chemical pesticides and herbicides in favour of natural alternatives. This approach not only preserves the health of the vineyard ecosystem but also enhances the quality of the grapes. The estate’s solar-powered winery and use of eco-friendly packaging further underscore their commitment to environmental stewardship.

A Journey Through the Vineyards

A visit to Langham Wine Estate offers a captivating experience for wine enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. The estate provides guided tours that take guests through the picturesque vineyards and the state-of-the-art winery. Here, visitors can witness the meticulous winemaking process, from grape to glass. The tours culminate in a tasting session, where one can savour the estate’s exquisite range of sparkling wines, each bottle a testament to the art and science of winemaking.

A Bright Future

As Langham Wine Estate celebrates its 15th anniversary, it does so with an eye towards the future. Plans are underway to expand their vineyard acreage and explore new winemaking techniques. The estate is also committed to furthering its sustainability initiatives, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

In an era where English sparkling wines are increasingly being recognised on the global stage, Langham Wine Estate stands out as a beacon of excellence and innovation. Its 15-year journey is a story of passion, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to quality. As we raise a glass to Langham’s past achievements, we also toast to a future filled with promise and sparkling success.

Here’s to Langham Wine Estate—may the next fifteen years be even more remarkable!

http://langhamwine.co.uk

Taste of the West Country: Delicious Recipes to Try at Home

The West Country, known for its stunning landscapes and rich culinary heritage, offers a treasure trove of delicious recipes that capture the essence of this beautiful region. 

From hearty pasties to creamy scones, the flavours of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset are sure to delight. 

Here are some traditional recipes that you can easily recreate at home.

1. Cornish Pasty

A true icon of Cornish cuisine, the Cornish pasty is a savoury pastry filled with meat and vegetables. Traditionally, it was a portable meal for miners and farmers.

Ingredients:

500g shortcrust pastry

350g beef skirt, diced

1 large potato, peeled and diced

1 onion, finely chopped

1 small swede (rutabaga), peeled and diced

Salt and pepper to taste

1 egg, beaten (for glazing)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan, gas mark 6).

Roll out the pastry and cut into four 20cm circles.

In a bowl, mix the beef, potato, onion, and swede. Season well with salt and pepper.

Divide the mixture evenly among the pastry circles, placing it on one side of each circle.

Fold the pastry over to create a semi-circle and crimp the edges to seal.

Place the pasties on a baking tray and brush with beaten egg.

Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot or cold.

2. Devonshire Cream Tea

A quintessential Devonshire treat, the cream tea features freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and jam.

Ingredients for Scones:

225g self-raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

50g butter, cold and cubed

25g caster sugar

150ml milk

1 egg, beaten (for glazing)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan, gas mark 7). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

In a bowl, mix the flour and baking powder. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Stir in the sugar, then gradually add the milk to form a soft dough.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead. Roll out to a thickness of 2cm and cut into rounds with a 5cm cutter.

Place the scones on the baking tray, brush with beaten egg, and bake for 12-15 minutes until well risen and golden.

Serve warm with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

3. Somerset Cider Chicken

Somerset is renowned for its cider, and this dish beautifully combines the local beverage with tender chicken.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts

2 tbsp plain flour

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

250ml dry Somerset cider

250ml chicken stock

100ml double cream

Fresh thyme sprigs

Instructions:

Season the flour with salt and pepper, then coat the chicken breasts.

Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides, then remove and set aside.

In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic until softened.

Pour in the cider and stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Return the chicken to the pan, add the thyme, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

Stir in the double cream and heat gently for a few minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

4. Dorset Apple Cake

This classic Dorset dessert is perfect for showcasing the region's apples.

Ingredients:

225g self-raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

115g unsalted butter, cold and cubed

115g light brown sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

3 tbsp milk

225g cooking apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

1 tbsp demerara sugar

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan, gas mark 4). Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin.

In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Stir in the brown sugar, followed by the eggs and milk to form a thick batter.

Fold in the chopped apples and transfer the mixture to the prepared tin. Sprinkle with demerara sugar.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or cold, with a dollop of cream or custard.

Conclusion

The West Country's culinary traditions are rich and varied, offering a delightful array of dishes that are both comforting and flavourful. By trying these recipes at home, you can bring a taste of this beautiful region to your table, celebrating its heritage and unique ingredients. Happy cooking!

Dorset Cereals Walks The Red Carpet At This Year's Oscars

Stars are in for a treat when they open their goody bags at this year's Oscars on February 24. For among the ipods, Macbook Airs, jewellery, clothes and even diamonds in their glittering swag bags, Oscar nominees from George Clooney to Meryl Streep will find Dorset Cereals award-winning mueslis, complete with bowl and spoon, awaiting them in the gifting suites.

Recently voted Britain's favourite breakfast cereal (As quoted by Marketing Week in a study by Nunwood, the customer experience specialist,) Dorset Cereals was specially selected to be part of the Official 2012 GBK's Gift Lounge in Honour of Oscars. Mandy Cooper, Head of Communications at Dorset Cereals, comments: "When GBK contacted us about being part of the Gift Lounge at the Oscars we were tickled pink. As a little company from Dorset, England, it is a huge privilege to be selected to be in front of so many A-list celebrities, not to mention a wealth of other well-established brands".

Hello from Dorset........

"We make all our breakfast cereals at Poundbury in Dorset which is the unique village inspired and created by HRH The Prince of Wales. Mueslis, Granolas, Porridges, Tasty Fruit and Fibre, Tasty Low Fat Flakes and Cereal Bars are all made to recipes which are packed with goodness. For recipes, photos, competitions to win lovely stuff and news about simple pleasures go to www.dorsetcereals.co.uk.

FACTFILE:
Since 2006, Dorset Cereals has been awarded numerous Gold medals for taste, design and packaging which reflect the uncompromising dedication the Company has to making premium cereals. The Company was voted runner-up in Sainsbury's Magazine's 2010 Brand of the Decade. They were also nominated as one of the UK's top 500 Cool Brands 2010/11.

Dorset Cereals supports local The Woodland Trust and has paid for 8,000 trees, which will be planted over two years by people across the UK in their local areas as part of the 'More Trees, More Good' campaign. In December 2010 they planted their own woodland of 500 trees near their factory at Poundbury Dorset.