Wine

It’s wonderful the number of Rent-a-Vine schemes cropping up around the country.

One of the ones I was most impressed with recently is Ancre Hill’s in Wales – but maybe that’s because I’m a greedy guts!

Not so much a drink this one, but the final element in our Ultimate DrinkBritain Case: a chance to meet the UK Winemaker of the Year, Sam Lindo, on one of Camel Valley's popular afternoon tours. You'll have to make your way there under your own steam, but it is in a delightful spot, so well worth the visit anyway.

Sam is as modest as they come, so don't expect airs and graces. And if he's tied up on other business, it will be either assistant winemaker Sarah in charge, or his dad, founder Bob Lindo.

We're in traditional rosé country here, with Plumpton's Dean Blush NV. Wild salmon pink in colour, it has a steady stream of fine bubbles. On the nose there's aromas of roasted peach and tinned strawberry.

£20, available from the college direct, local Waitrose, Waitrose Direct, Butler's Cellar (Brighton), English Wine Centre (Alfriston), Middle Farm (Firle) & selected local stores. For full list, see Spring Portfolio on Plumpton web.

Another first for those talented guys on the Surrey slopes on the outskirts of Dorking: the first English wine to be embraces as part of the Tesco Finest* range, which – as the name suggests – is the pick of the mega-grocer's selection.

And, with its aromas, well-balanced crispness and medium body, it's a textbook example of what well-priced English still wine should be.