GINGER DJ CHRIS EVANS PROVES HE HAS GREAT TASTE FOR SUSSEX-MADE GINGER WINE AS HE CELEBRATES NEW ROLE ON BBC RADIO2

Radio2 star Chris Evans marked the news that he is to take over the Breakfast Show hot seat from Sir Terry Wogan with a fitting bottle of award-winning Gran Stead’s Ginger.

Evans, who replaces 71-year-old Wogan in March, drank to his new job with the makers of Gran Stead’s Ginger, this week, and also toasted their success in winning THREE coveted gold stars at the 2009 Great Taste Awards.

Sussex couple Chris and Rosemary Knox – who make the invigorating, alcohol-free ginger wine from a 150-year-old recipe at Mile Oak Farm, in Portslade near Brighton – were on their way to the Great Taste Awards ceremony in Central London when the invitation came for them to hot foot it to the Drivetime Show for a live interview and tasting with Evans and BBC food presenter Nigel Barden.

That night, Evans was a surprise judge for the Great Taste Awards finals at a glittering event at premier department store Fortnum & Mason, where the couple were crowned Best Speciality from the South East. Chris Evans raced from the BBC studios to join the final judging panel, which included top restaurateur Mark Hix and TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson.

“It was a real pleasure to present Chris Evans with a bottle of our ginger wine and it seemed a fitting way to mark his new job on the Breakfast Show,” said Chris Knox. “With its invigorating flavour it’s sure to make his early starts a bit more bearable!”

He continued: “We’re delighted to have Gran Stead’s Ginger recognised by the Great Taste Awards – and winning for the South East region is an incredible achievement. We always knew the historic recipe was very special – it seems the judges agree!”

Rather like Chris Evans himself, Gran Stead’s Ginger is a hearty concoction that’s simply brimming with character – offering a complex taste of real ginger that’s gutsy enough to delight discerning ginger-lovers, but with smooth, soothing undertones that ensure it has broad appeal, with a growing following of fans of all ages.

Gran Stead’s Non-Alcoholic Ginger Wine can be bought from stockists throughout the UK, costing around £3.95 for a 75 cl bottle. It is also available online. Find your nearest retailer or buy online at http://www.gransteadsginger.co.uk/

Gran Stead’s will be offering samples of its award-winning wine at this weekend’s Brighton Food and Drink Festival that takes place in New Road, Brighton, on Saturday September 12 and Sunday September 13. Log on to: www.brightonfoodfestival.co.uk.

For more information on Gran Stead’s Ginger call: 01273 231 152; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or log on to: www.gransteadsginger.co.uk

For further information or images, please contact Tracy Carroll at The Sales Studio on 01883 744 653, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it