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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Bolney’s first sparkling red is named after one of the most visible stars in the night skies, the super red giant, Antares – its radius is about 800 times that of the sun. Made in the traditional manner from Dornfelder, a grape that does well in the cooler climates of England, less than 200 cases were produced, so this is one to catch while you can.

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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…

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…

Andy Howard, centre with SEVA trophy winners Andrew Weeber and Kevin Sutherland

Senior M&S buyer and chair of the SE Vineyard Association’s judging panel Andy Howard is looking forward to M&S developing closer links with the English wine industry, perhaps by working with Plumpton College, the UK’s leading practical wine educational establishment, or devising initiatives for next year’s English Wine Week.

At the moment M&S stocks five English still and sparkling wines, including top sparkling rosé, Balfour Brut, and a few from Chapel Down. Howard said this might change in the future. “We can’t have a huge selection,” he told DrinkBritain.com after the SEVA 2010 awards. “But customers do want to see new things, there’s a lot more interest in English wine and local sourcing helps.”

Howard’s words of advice for the UK wine industry? “Keep a focus on quality. Push that forward even more, and keep an eye on the diversity of styles.”

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…

Full house: English Wine Week at Artisan & Vine

Over 40 people flocked to Clapham wine bar Artisan & Vine for its English wine tasting on Wednesday evening. Paying a tenner each, 29 wines were available to try, from the likes of top sparklers Nyetimber, Ridgeview and Camel Valley, through whites and rosés to a quartet of reds, including the one Jancis Robinson MW made her Wine of the Week a fortnight ago, the Biddenden Gamay 2009.

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With St George’s Day fast approaching and one of the finest vintages under its belt in recent years, just how is the English wine industry’s strongest calling card faring? The answer, according to the first ever blind tasting of sparkling wines available to bars, pubs and restaurants appearing in Imbibe, is not bad at all.

Three years ago I had to pull in a few favours to gather my tasting crew to compare English wines – still and sparkling of all hues – with their global peers. This time, however, I had no such trouble. Yes, it was on the back of much hype following a pleasantly auspicious vintage, but we all know that one warm autumn does not a fine wine make. Even more so with sparkling wine. Fine fizz relies on good works being done over many years. continue reading…