English Heritage Castle Mead 8% 75cl Bottle

A lighter, 8% ABV, wine style of Mead which pairs beautifully with cheese or as a med/sweet wine alternative. Blended and perfected exclusively for English Heritage by Lyme Bay Winery. Mead, the world’s oldest alcoholic drink, is created by honey and water fermented with yeast, sometimes containing various fruits, spices, grains, or hops. It is believed that mead was essentially first been discovered when accidentally some honey got wet. When raw honey gets moisture into it, there is a chance that natural yeast will start a fermentation process that converts the sugar in honey into alcohol. Nowadays, the yeast used in mead making is often identical to that used in winemaking. The earliest recorded evidence of mead’s existence dates from 7000BC, where archaeologists discovered pottery vessels in northern China that have shown chemical signatures consistent with honey, rice, and organic compounds associated with fermentation. Once the Vikings’ drink of choice, it was also believed to improve health and prolong life. Mead has also long been rumoured to have aphrodisiac properties, so it was presented to newlyweds to enjoy during what we now call their “honeymoon”. In fact, because drinking mead was thought to ensure a fruitful union bearing plenty of children, the bride’s father traditionally included a month’s worth of mead in her dowry. The alcoholic content of mead ranges from about 3.5% ABV to more than 18%. Mead may be still, carbonated, naturally sparkling, dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. Key Features: Made in England Full flavoured honey-based wine 8% Vol. Ingredients and Allergens, for allergens see ingredients in bold. Water, Honey (Mexican Blend) (12.5%), Granulated Beet Sugar, Acidifier: Citric Acid; Yeast & Yeast Nutrients, Preservatives: Sodium Metabisulphite (Sulphites), Potassium Sorbate; Colour: Caramelised Sugar Syrup; Natural Spice Flavour, Natural Honey Flavour.