Breaky Bottom – Peter’s Note October 2024

October is usually the month of harvest, the culmination of a year’s work in the vineyard. 2024 has been hit with indifferent weather which triggered severe attacks of downy mildew in the UK and on the European continent.

I have insufficient quality fruit to justify picking and below is the email I sent to the devoted friends and family who enjoy the annual harvest.

BREAKY BOTTOM – HARVEST 2024

Greetings to all you devoted grape-pickers

 You will learn that 2024 has been very difficult for many UK winemakers.

Over the years I have only harvested grapes that have achieved a very high degree of ripeness, and free of botrytis and mildews. Today I have decided that there are insufficient quality grapes to warrant harvesting. Sadly, I will not be picking any grapes this year. It is possible that toward the end of October local devotees may wish to garner what remains, and they would be very welcome – stay in touch and maybe make your own demi-john of local hooch, or perhaps some grape jam!

Meanwhile, my grateful thanks for all the help and support you have given us over the years, and the privilege of such good friendships – and fingers crossed for 2025.

My Footnote this month is rather longer than usual!

I’m continuing my reminiscences of the very early days of English wine. Some will recall the popular annual celebrations orchestrated by the much-missed Christopher ‘Topper’ Ann at the English Wine Centre next to Drusillas, near Alfriston.

The large Marquees were packed with visitors from all over the UK and beyond.

In those days lapel-badges were all the rage, and we decided to create about a dozen of our own rather cheeky selection. At least three of them where inspired to mimic current popular ‘drink slogans’ of famous beverages. Older folk may remember Heineken’s promise to “refresh the parts other beers cannot reach” or Carlsberg’s claim to be “probably the best lager in the world” – I do recall Yogi Bear’s strapline was “smarter than the average bear”!

I recall a story at one of our annual shindigs, maybe a little naughty, but nice….

A young woman, having enjoyed a tad too much alcohol, decided to pave her bottom with these medallions and having done so, parade herself ‘bottom-upwards’ to the applauding crowds – a short while later she could be seen slumbering gracefully in an easy-chair by the Breaky Bottom stand, recovering and smiling sweetly!

PS. Next month we are launching a very special celebratory Kir Royale.

With all best wishes from the Breaky Bottom Team, Peter & Christina