The Wine Tipster's Top Tips

A firm favourite at Cheltenham, Nyetimber, will be showcasing their award-winning English sparkling wines aboard a beautifully reimagined 1968 Routemaster bus in The Orchard™, Cheltenham’s premium enclosure. My top pick for The Festival is Nyetimber Classic Cuvée Multi-Vintage, West Sussex and Hampshire, England, their signature traditional method sparkling wine made from the trio of grapes used in Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

The Classic Cuvée is delicate but complex, with toasty spice, citrus and crisp green apple aromas. Nyetimber will also be pouring their Rosé Multi-Vintage, a generous sparkling rosé with red fruit aromas evoking English summer, and Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2014, a single-vineyard vintage sparkling made from Chardonnay only.

For an easy drinking white which beats the odds on taste, Bodegas Care Blanco Sobre Lías, Cariñena, Spain is a must-try. Available in hospitality, this is a refreshing wine blending Grenache Blanc with Chardonnay, with a gorgeous, rounded texture and fresh flavours of green apple, pineapple and a burst of citrus.

Bodegas Care was born when two families came together to share their philosophy of producing wines of the highest quality whilst maintaining a terrific price quality ratio. The winery blends historic traditions of viticulture with innovative winemaking techniques to produce exciting and contemporary wines. The name Care comes from the Roman name for their home city of Cariñena, to show their love and commitment to the land, as well as referring to the English word care, to reflect the care taken in the vineyards, where they use low intervention, sustainable methods. Bodegas Care focus on quality in all aspects of their wines, from the soil in the vineyards through to the labels on the bottle, which feature abstract faces to show the human attention taken in producing the wines.

Seresin Estate was founded in 1992 by cinematographer Michael Seresin, who has worked on Oscar-winning film Gravity amongst others, and call themselves a new world winery with an old world approach. Based at Raupo Creek vineyards in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys, Seresin Estate is certified organic and farmed under strict biodynamic principles. They believe in taking their time when it comes to winemaking, with all Seresin wines hand-harvested and spending time ageing in both barrel and bottle before release.

Seresin Estate MOMO Organic Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand is a lively, concentrated Pinot Noir with an abundance of raspberries and cherries, and a faint perfume of flowers on the finish. Available in hospitality.

The Cheltenham Festival champions local produce, particularly at the Four Eighty Restaurant which only uses suppliers and products sourced from within 480 furlongs (60 miles) of the racecourse. That passion for local produce extends to the drinks selection across the racecourse.

Leading the field of local producers is Gloucester Brewery, whose slogan ‘Earth-conscious brewing’ means you can feel good about drinking their beers. Numerous sustainable measures are employed with the aim of becoming a carbon neutral business, including packaging in can, using only renewable energy, and an electric van for deliveries. My top choice is Gloucester Brewery Session IPA, a vegan-friendly craft beer. Juicy tropical fruit aromas burst out of this easy drinking and ultra pale, well rounded session IPA. Other beers from their range, available at Four Eighty and The Arkle Bar, include the award-winning Gloucester Gold and Dockside Dark.

Also in the leading pack of local producers is Cotswolds Distillery, born from a dream to produce delicious spirits in one of the most beautiful regions in the world. Cotswolds Dry Gin was perfected after two months researching and distilling 150 individual botanicals. The final recipe uses Cotswold lavender, bay leaves, freshly peeled lime and pink grapefruit zest, with a hint of spice from cardamom and black peppercorns.

The Cheltenham Club’s original thirst quencher, The Cheltenham Refresher, is available at Core on Course by Clare Smyth, and combines Cotswolds Dry Gin with elderflower, lime juice, soda and ginger ale. Cotswolds Dry Gin will also be served at the See You Then Terrace Bar and in restaurants across the course.

Moët & Chandon will be selling their ever-popular mini flutes at the Moët & Chandon Roma Bar in The Village. In The Orchard™ fifth generation whisky distiller Glenfarclas will be making whisky cocktails and Caves d’Esclans will be pouring their always in-demand Provençal rosés, Whispering Angel and Rock Angel.

Anyone looking for a great alcohol-free option will be able to enjoy Guinness Zero in the popular Guinness Village. Alternatively, pop open a bottle of Wild Idol sparkling rosé, a vibrant and fruity alcohol-free sparkling that doesn’t compromise on taste.

A huge range of food options are available alongside these drinks at The Festival. As well as bookable restaurants including Core on Course by Clare Smyth, Chez Roux and Four Eighty, there is an abundance of walk-in food outlets and mobile caterers. No matter which enclosure you’re in, you will be sure of finding fantastic local and international options. Grab a British pie from The Pie Shop inside Winged Ox, order a tapas board or burgers from Quevega’s, or pick up an Ethical Addictions Coffee and a pastry from Four Angels at Café Twenty Twenty-Seven.