THE royal visit ended in some fighting talk from the Duchess of Cornwall.
Camilla made her remarks during a trip to Bolney Wine Estate’s new winery.
After enthusiastically tasting a series of the vineyard’s products, Camilla, who went to school in Ditchling, said: “As president of Wine GB, the daughter of a wine merchant and a Sussex lady, what a pleasure it is to be here.
“I love wine so it is no hardship for me to come to this winery and see what you are doing.
“It is amazing to see what has happened to British wine (in recent years) and we are certainly giving the French a run for their money.”
Managing director Sam Linter took over the vineyard from its founder – and her father –Rodney Pratt.
The 51-year-old, who is also the head winemaker, was tasked with showing the duchess around its newest winery.
Sam said: “It just felt like a huge privilege.
“It was amazing to have a member of the Royal Family visit us here.
“She is very down to earth and very friendly, a really lovely person.”
After showing Her Royal Highness where the wine was made, and introducing her to many of the estate’s staff, Sam walked her back to the winery’s restaurant to sample some of the beverages.
Sam said: “She was really enjoying the wine.
“She is a red wine drinker so was very keen to try the pinot noir.”
The duchess wafted each drink under her nose before taking a sip.
The pinot noir and the Bacchus received particularly warm receptions with the duchess exclaiming, “that’s delicious”.
Fittingly, she finished her tasting with some English sparkling wine.
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