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Hampshire Food & Drink Top 10

Hampshire offers a fantastic range of locally produced food and drink and it's not surprising that the region is home to many award-winning restaurants, hotels and pubs. Here is our personal selection of the top 10 food and drink products in the county.

1. Ale
Our cosy rural pubs and inns are home to some great local beer and ale. Producers include Oakleaf Brewing Company, Irving & Co, Suthwyk Ales, Itchen Valley Brewery, Ringwood Brewery, Hampshire Brewery..... Enjoy at local pubs, or buy direct from their brewery shops and Hampshire farmers' market stalls.

2. Cheese

Milk from local dairy farms are used to produce our nationally acclaimed award-winning cheeses. Loosehanger and Lyburn cheeses are regularly available in farm shops, delicatessens and Hampshire farmers' markets. Try Hampshire Cheese's Tunworth, Hansus goat's cheese, and Two Hoots soft blue cheeses.

3. Chocolate

Fresh Hampshire cream is a key ingredient for our delicious locally produced chocolate. Chocolatiers include The Alresford Chocolate Company, Beaulieu Chocolate Studio, House of Treats in Basingstoke and Le Salon du Chocolat in Rowlands Castle.

4. Chutneys and Jam

Our quality jam and chutney are well reputed in the county, using fresh local and seasonal ingredients. The Chilli Jam Company in Emsworth and The Real Jam and Chutney Co in Winchester are among the best. Available from delicatessens, farmers' markets and mail order.

5. Cider

Real cider made from locally grown apples is a real treat. Mr Whitehead's cider, based near Alton, includes many single varieties and also perry, made from pears. Buy direct from Hampshire farmers' markets and shows, or enjoy at many Hampshire pubs.

6. Free-range or organic meat & game

Hampshire has a wealth of farmers, meat producers and independent butchers supplying good quality naturally-reared free-range and organic beef, lamb, pork and game. Many farms have their own farm shops, supply meat boxes, home delivery or have stalls at Hampshire farmers' markets, and also sell home-made pies and ready meals made from their own meat.

7. Sausages

The annual Great Hampshire Sausage Competition is the largest in the country, and there is always stiff competition to win coveted awards and special trophies including the title of Hampshire Supreme Sausage Champion! This was scooped by Greenfield Pork, a free-range pork farm near Andover, for their pork and apple sausages, using Hampshire Bramley apples and local Hill Farm apple juice. Look out for local specialities in butchers, delicatessens, and at our Hampshire farmers' markets.

8. Trout

The River Test has an international reputation for the quality of its trout fishing. Hammer Trout Fishery and Smokery at Liphook is one of Hampshire's oldest fish farms and produces high quality smoked trout and fish, sold at Hampshire farmers' markets. At River Test Smokery near Stockbridge, trout fishermen can take in their catch to be smoked.

9. Watercress

Lush green meadows of peppery watercress are a familiar sight in Hampshire. Pass 10 miles of beautiful countryside on the Mid Hants Railway, known as the Watercress Line, or visit the Watercress Festival in Alresford (held in May) which celebrates our love of this versatile superfood. Vitacress Salads is based near Andover and now supplies watercress internationally.

10. Wine

English wine is rapidly gaining a good reputation; try Danebury and Somborne Valley Vineyards near Stockbridge, Wickham Vineyard near Botley, Northbrook Springs at Bishops Waltham, and Fonthill Glebe near Romsey for white, red and sparkling wine that would complement any table.

A free directory 'Food, drink and craft in Hampshire', is available from county food group Hampshire Fare, listing nearly 200 producers, independent shops, restaurants and pubs, hotels and B&B's which sell or serve local produce. Email Hampshire Fare to request this.