Jubilee tipples fit for the Queen

Drink tips from the royal family's cellar-keepers

The current holders of two Royal Warrants, 300-year-old fine wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd has been keeping the royal family in wine and spirits for years. With the Diamond Jubilee upon us, and the prospect of many parties in store, we asked Simon Field, Master of Wine and buyer for Berry Bros & Rudd, to take us through his suggestions for the quintessentially British drinks to have on your table during this weekend's celebrations...

For the toast…

2009 Grosvenor Blancs, Ridgeview Estate, £26.95

This fantastic sparkling wine from West Sussex makes an elegant celebration tipple. Quintessentially British and made using Chardonnay grapes only, it’s fresh as well as round and lively and profound. Notes of honey, acacia and orchard fruit will suit the current warm weather and is best enjoyed with friends. The 2009 Grosvenor is probably the best English sparkling wine of all.

Fit for a king…

The King’s Ginger, £20

Commissioned by HRH King Edward VII in 1903 to ward off the effects of ill health, this Regal tipple has been enjoyed at celebrations for more than one hundred years. Ginger was chosen as the key ingredient due to its much-hyped medicinal value. The resulting liqueur is rich and zesty and, although perfectly paired with any number of cocktails, it stands up extremely well on its own, taken in a sherry glass.

In the sunshine…

2010 Chapel Down, Flint Dry, Kent, £9.95

Another suited perfectly to the warmer weather, this nicely rounded wine hails from the Kent countryside. Given it’s provenance, it’s pleasingly sweet. Freshly mown grass and paving stones after the rain appear on the nose, with depth and fruitiness following. This wine will work well with light dishes and party-style food.

For a very special celebration…

Graham’s 1952 Tawny Port, Limited Edition, £275

This wine is a real treasure and one of outstanding quality, having aged 60 years in oak casks. It’s profound and majestic, astonishingly intense and powerful. Classic notes of molasses, dried apricots, fig and clove warm the palate, with orange zest freshness and finely-wrought tannins underwriting the wine. This is a special bottle and one to thoroughly enjoyed.

For the beer lover…

Meantime London Porter, £27.99 (6 x 750ml)

This beer puts the great into Great Britain. Made by Meantime at the brewery on the banks of the Thames in Greenwich, the London Porter tastes of Dickensian London. It’s smoky and full of coal and spice thanks to the seven different malts used during brewing. An initial nuttiness gives way to a bittersweet malty chocolate finish. The slow acting yeast means this bottle will only get better with age.

www.meantimebrewing.com

The royal refresher…

No. 3 London Dry Gin, £33.95

Distilled in traditional copper pot stills, No. 3 is a celebration of the integrity and character of traditional London Dry Gin. Juniper, pine and lavender are all present with a citrus freshness coming from Spanish orange and grapefruit peel. Angelica root adds body and a hint of coriander seed and cardamom can be tasted. Some say it makes the best Gin & Tonic around.