Visit Mike if you are feeling a little fruity (From Worcester News)

Visit Mike if you are feeling a little fruity

12:26pm Monday 5th March 2007 in Farmers' Markets

DOZENS of secret recipes, years of experience and up to 30 different fruits go into the country wines produced by Worcestershire Farmers' Markets' supplier Mike Sinclair.

Mike, aged 66, who owns Newtown Nurseries, has been making fruit wines for more than 20 years.

"It started as a hobby and I'd make a gallon at a time. Then it'd be five gallons at a time. When it got to 40 gallons I thought I'd better get a licence," he said.

At his winery at Strawberry Hill, Newent, near Ross-on-Wye, Mike makes 28 varieties of wine, as well as special strength wines and cider, perry and apple juice.

Some of his most popular farmers' market wines include blackcurrant, cherry, damson and plum. Autumn Blend, a combination of damsons and mixed berries, is his current best-seller.

Mike is especially proud of his wines, with the range including apple, raspberry and elderflower. Most of the fruit in Newtown Wines is grown at Mike's nursery.

"We grow our own raspberries, tayberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants and the hedgerow produce of elderberries and elderflowers is gathered locally," said Mike.

His grape wines are made from grapes grown at Newent's Three Choirs Vineyard.

"I think English grape wines have come a long way in the last few years. The climate is changing and growing conditions have improved."

Mike's wine recipes are a close kept secret.

"I look in old books to get ideas but then I make them my own way keeping additives to a minimum."

Mike says he loves selling his wines at farmers' markets so he can talk to his customers.

"People can ask me how it's made and what's in it, and I'm pleased to tell them."

Newtown Wines produce a range of special wines which are up to 16 per cent proof. The specials include strawberry and blackberry as well as elderberry wine. Mike's wife Murial, 66, says the elderberry wines goes beautifully with duck.

Country wine prices are £3.50-£5.

Farmers' Market dates for March 2007Droitwich - Victoria Square, Saturday, March 3, 9am-2pm.Worcester - Royal Worcester Porcelain car park, Sunday, March 4, 10am-2pm.Bromsgrove - High Street, Saturday, March 10, 9am-5pm.Malvern - Abbey Road, March 17, 9am-2pm.

Worcester - St Peter's Garden Centre, Saturday, March 24, 9.30am-2pm.

The following goods will be available at farmers' markets throughout March:Fruit and vegetables.Free-range and organic eggs.Speciality Scotch eggs, local cheeses.Meat, poultry, game, sausages, home-cured bacon - all traditionally reared.Honey, preserves, bread, pies, cakes, fudge, chocolates, olives.Ciders, wines and juices.Plants.DUCK BREAST IN ELDERBERRY SPECIAL WINEINGREDIENTS2 duck breasts1 cup of Elderberry Special Wineseasoning of your choiceMethodAdd a dash of oil to the pan and heat to a high temperature, place duck breasts in the pan and seal both sides.Reduce the temperature to a low heat and add any seasoning required and one cup of the wine. Cover with a lid and cook till tender.Remove the duck breast and grill until the skin is crispy. Serve with sauté potatoes, mixed vegetables and a side salad