Wine lovers are being offered the chance to take part in an event with a difference to mark VE Day.

Social distancing may mean a trip to a favourite vineyard or winery is off the agenda, but drinkers who buy a special six-bottle case from Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst will be invited to an exclusive online wine tasting.

From the comfort of their own home, guests will join producer Richard Balfour-Lynn and head winemaker Fergus Elias for the first chance to sample the Balfour Liberty’s Bacchus 2019, as well as getting a taste of the new vintage of Balfour Nannette’s Rose 2019 and their classic Balfour 1503 Rose NV.

The spring weather would normally see thousands of visitors flocking to visit Kent's many wine producers, but the imposition of social distancing has made this impossible.

Mr Elias said: "To mark VE Day, we wanted make available a very special case of six bottles, which includes our new 2019 Balfour Liberty’s Bacchus, a wine not currently available anywhere else and one that I’m extremely excited about.

"The virtual tasting element is something new which will be a great way to interact with our customers, allowing us to taste the wines with them, give some background on how they were made, answer questions and also hopefully have a bit of fun along the way too."

The Victory in Europe Day celebratory mixed six-bottle case is available to purchase online for £90, a discount on the normal price of £116.

Those purchasing the wines will receive a private invitation to join the May 8 event via a Zoom video link.

Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn bought the 16th-century manor near Staplehurst in 1986, and then in 2001 acquired the 400-acre estate that surrounds the house. The first vineyard was planted the following year.

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