Chapel Place Wines is an off-sale service offered by The Chapel Bar in Tunbridge Wells. The website offers a huge range of excellent wines, many exclusive and not found on supermarket shelves. Nationwide Delivery is available through the site and collections / free local delivery is offered to residents of Tunbridge Wells and some surrounding villages. The wine bar itself is located in The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells and offers a variety of Beers, Wines and Spirits as well as a new menu to be available in March 2011.

Old World reign supreme in The Wine World Cup

Most of you will be aware that there is a football tournament taking place in South Africa at the moment, gripping nations across the globe with what can only be described as anti-climatic football (at time of print) and causing a surge in self diagnosed Tinnitus thanks to the Vuvuzela.So there I was, filling in my wall chart and checking the progress of my fantasy teams, thinking - I must get on and write my review for the Crowborough Directory!! A Eureka moment!!Why not complete the wall chart using wine production rather than football; most of the big players in the wine industry were represented after all.There were a few contentious qualifications - I struggled to recall tastings from Group E (Holland, Japan, Denmark and Cameroon) but on scales of production, the Dutch and Japanese made it through. Brazil's lack of export let them down; though they are a major influence in South American vinification (and quite good at football) so had to go in. Then came England, showing great promise but a few years away from taking centre stage (all sounding quite familiar) but just edging past Germany on penalties in the last 16. Visit our website to view the full listings

A review from the Ridge Discover the Sparkle in Sussex

In 1994, after selling a multi-million pound IT business, Mike Roberts decided to go back to college, a choice that at the time would have baffled friends and family, but now looks set to make a huge impact on the once ridiculed English wine market. Having studied at Plumpton College, Mike and his wife Christine planted the three key Champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier on their land in Ditchling Common and the Ridgeview Estate was born, just 80 miles (as the crow flies) from the ultimate benchmark of Sparkling Wines, Champagne.And here are just two results of their vision and hard work, Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia. The Bloomsbury has picked up awards year after year both in England and France, and the Fitzrovia is destined for great things in the future. The Bloomsbury is Ridgeview's' signature wine, made up of 64% Chardonnay, 23% Pinot Noir and 14% Pinot Meunier. On the nose, the beautiful aroma of buttered brioche hits me instantly, as found with many of the great vintage Champagnes. In appearance, the wine is light and appealing, with a clean, fresh and crisp flavour on the palate, expected with the Chardonnay's dominance, but backed up brilliantly with the Pinot grapes, adding a long and sophisticated finish. The Fitzrovia is the estates Rosé offering and my mouth is watering just looking at the salmon-pink bubbles in my glass. This wine is made up of 46% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir and 22% Pinot Meunier. Again, the Chardonnay grapes offer freshness and finesse, with summer fruits on the finish from the Pinot varieties. The true sparkle of these wines comes when you consider them in the same category as Champagnes, and appreciate the value for money they offer, rather than comparing them to less expensive Cava and Prosecco. Then remind yourself that they are produced in Sussex and the importance of supporting local producers, then relax and enjoy.

Move over Cloudy Bay

New Zealand - a country known for its spectacularly beautiful landscapes; vast mountain chains, sweeping coastlines, lush rainforests and limitless green expanses. Its Rugby has dominated the world stage for years gone by, and now, its fastest growing export, namely Sauvignon Blanc looks to take centre stage in the wine world.Since arriving to NZ in the mid-70's, the generally vigorous vine has taken to the long, dry radiant autumns like a proverbial duck to water, and certainly the Malborough region (accounting for 87% of the ever-growing plantations) has not had a bad vintage in its short but impressive history.So, I am here to introduce you to Malborough's newest player, ‘O: TU', an abbreviation for Otuwhero (‘oar-two-fare-raw') and produced in the relatively new sub-region of Awatere Valley, which has imparted new impetus on an established regional style adding a distinctive minerality, augmented by pronounced, refreshing natural acidity and a discernable elegance, hailed by many wine critics as ‘Sancerre meets Cloudy Bay'.On the nose, you'll find a lively fragrance of grapes, with sweet grass, nettles and gooseberries underpinned with fresh and zesty lemon and lime characters.On the palate you will experience mouth watering juiciness, with ripe pear and white peach, gooseberry and currants. This wine has a harmonious acid balance, contributing to a long finish complemented by the flinty mineral characters typical of the Awatere Valley.Now in balance, there is no question that Sauvignon Blanc reaches its pinnacle in the Loire Valley communes of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé, and consumers should also check out the lesser known Loire appellation of Quincy but the gap in quality, in my opinion, is reducing at pace.

Specialist Services

A variety of specialist wines from around the world, not available in local supermarkets.

Trade Bodies / Associations

Fully Licensed.