DrinkBritain

A time for celebration

Sparkling wine producer RidgeView has beaten top champagnes costing up to three times as much to win the Decanter International Trophy for Sparkling Wine over £10 for its Ridgeview Grosvenor Blanc de Blancs 2006.

Founded in 1995 by Mike and Christine Roberts, RidgeView is no stranger to accolades – earlier this year it won Wine of the Year for the second year running in the English and Welsh Wine Awards – but this is likely to command a special spot on its ever-more crowded wall of awards.

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Sparkling success: Pebblebed wins Dragon's backing

Within 12 hours of Geoff Bowen’s appearance on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, he had received 100 requests for more information – not something you’d normally expect from an English vigneron in the rural Devon town of Topsham.

But then there’s nothing that “normal” about the way Bowen runs his business. To begin with, rather than ending up in hock to the bank, he persuaded 20 other families to get involved with his initial Pebblebed vineyard purchase. Currently he has 22 acres spread over three sites.

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Wine: nature or nurture?

What makes a great drink? Obviously it’s down to flavour and taste, but what are the key factors? Is it the ingredients – the fruit, the hops or the barley? Or the weather or the site? Or perhaps the thinking, be it traditionally-inspired or forward-looking? Or is it down to the people or the community from where the product hails?

With UK drinks producers getting their own category in the BBC’s highly respected Food & Farming Awards, a panel of judges led by leading chef Angela Hartnett will be examining just these questions later this year.

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Oz Clarke congratulates Bob Lindo, left, and son, Sam

Sparkling rosé has a strong future in England says the UK’s Winemaker of the Year, Sam Lindo of Camel Valley in Cornwall. Having just been awarded the International Wine Challenge’s Sparkling Rosé Trophy for his Pinot Noir 2008 ahead of rivals in Champagne and across the world, Lindo said that the whole family was “delighted” and admitted that the news “was still sinking in”.

“I really honestly believe that rosé can become synonynous with England,” he told DrinkBritain.com. “There’s more raspberry and strawberry flavours.” continue reading…

More than just music: Glastonbury Abbey revives cider magic

Festivals have played as much a part in sharing the joy of cider with a wider audience as any amount of ice-cube inspired campaigns. So, as tents get pitched and guitars are tuned, the news that a Glastonbury Cider beat off 360 rivals at the Royal Bath & West Show to be named Supreme Cider Champion might not be too surprising.

What is unusual is its origins: the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey. Apples have been grown here since medieval times with records showing the monks enjoying a tipple or two, but 2009 was the year the Abbey teamed up with cider revival pioneer, Julian Temperley of the Somerset Cider Brandy company.

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King Sam, UK Winemaker of the Year

For the second time in four years, Cornwall-based Camel Valley has picked up the Winemaker of the Year Trophy in the English & Welsh Wine of the Year annual awards. Not to be outdone, sparkling wine specialists RidgeView Wine Estate took the Wine of the Year trophy for the second year running. Top medal tally goes to Kent’s Chapel Down Wines for its haul of five golds, two silvers and four bronzes. continue reading…

Winning duo: Gusbourne's Andrew Weeber, right, with his "perfectionist" of a winemaker, Mike Roberts, Ridgeview

“Astonishment!” That was the one word reaction from Gusbourne Vineyard’s owner Andrew Weeber on the news that his Classic Blend 2006 had picked up not just Gold for its inaugural appearance but the South East Wine of the Year trophy for 2010 at the SEVA’s annual awards ceremony on 8 June.

“Our grapes were wonderful,” Weeber continued. “And Mike Rogers [who makes the wine for Gusbourne at RidgeView] is the most wonderful perfectionist. This is a reflection of his commitment to producing wonderful wines for himself and for others.” continue reading…