A wine drinker's guide to Yorkshire

Feature by The Skinny North | 08 May 2017

With lots of grape-focused events on the calendar at Leeds Indie Food, we speak to specialist shop Latitude for some tips on drinking wine in Yorkshire – from Leeds' best wine bars to finding bottles from local vineyards

Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just developing your palate and want to learn more, Latitude Wine & Liquor Merchant should be one of your first calling points in Leeds. Stocking a selection that prioritises 'the unique and boutique', Latitude also run 'Tasting Room' sessions to help you understand more about what's in your glass, and they'll next be popping up at Leeds Indie Food festival: at Lambert's Yard for a 'Minimum Miles Travelled' dining experience with chef Richard Walton-Allen, and at Farsley's The Mill Kitchen, celebrating locally sourced food and drink. 

Ahead of their events, we asked proprietor Chris Hill for his guide to wine in Leeds and Yorkshire – from local growers and varieties to what you should be looking for in a good wine bar.

Yorkshire's vineyards 

"Yorkshire sits on the 53/54th degree of Latitude. Conventional winemaking thinking would say not to bother trying to grow grapes further north than 50 degrees; winemaking in Yorkshire is tough, but a few are trying.

"The most established vineyard in Yorkshire is Leventhorpe, near Rothwell, east of Leeds. George Bowden was a Chemistry teacher who noticed the potential for this small, south-facing slope in 1985, when he purchased the land and started experimenting with white grape varieties. Many years later he has managed to harness this unique micro-climate to produce some really interesting, characterful wines."

Local wine to try 

"The core varieties that are grown on the Leventhorpe Vineyard are Seyval and Madeleine Angevine. Both are white varieties that have been developed to ripen early in Europe. When planted in Yorkshire, the cool climate means that they can mature fully to produce fresh and elegant wines. The Leventhorpe site is a natural amphitheatre and sun trap with great drainage; this means that the vines have to dig deep for water, a process that imparts a unique minerality to the wines."

Pairing your local wine with food

"The Seyval is a delicate white, with green fruit, crisp acidity and subtle fennel seed aromas. We will be matching it at our Latitude Tasting Room event for Leeds Indie Food with grilled mackerel fillet, with a fennel and green olive salad. The Madeleine Angevine is a little more bold, with apricot fruit and a hint of ginger, and also loves seafood, perhaps with a bit of Thai spice."

Great wine bars in Leeds and Yorkshire 

"Friends of Ham have managed to create a really good wine bar concept where many have failed before in Leeds. I think this is partially because they do really good beer as well, so can please both markets. Zucco in Meanwood and the Ox Club at Headrow House both offer really interesting food and wine.

"But if you are really serious about wine, head for the more established places in Leeds, such as the Reliance, Brasserie 44 and the Foundry, who have all been serving great food and top quality wine for decades."

Leeds' wine scene: demanding and inquisitive

"Having worked for decades in the wine trade in Leeds, as well as occasional stints down south and in Manchester, I can conclude that Leeds has a unique attitude towards wine. The Yorkshire temperament does not accept any bullshit, so concepts and products that are all show and bluster never get much of a look-in.

"The Leeds wine lover is constantly looking for great value, and while this can be a challenge, it means that we at Latitude are always striving to find wines that over-deliver on quality. Our customers can be very demanding, but they are also very inquisitive. If we can deliver exciting wines at the right price, they are also very loyal."


Leeds Indie Food wine events: 

Cheese and Wine Pairing at Ham & Friends, 17 May, 7pm, £sold out, check for returns
Minimum Miles Travelled: Pop-up Dining Experience, Lambert's Yard, 19 May, 7pm, £sold out, check for returns
Grape Debate: The Decanter vs Yorkshire Wine School (at The Decanter), 22 May, 7pm, £30
Yorkshire Food and Wine Pairing, The Mill Kitchen, 25 May, 7pm, £40
Only Natural with Tutto and Gergovie Wines, The Reliance, 26 May, 5.30pm, book ahead or just walk in
Meet the Merchants Wine Fair, Corn Exchange, 28 May, 12pm, £20

leedsindiefood.co.uk

latitudewine.co.uk