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.
The welcoming party
So the scene was set – an array of fine British drinks ready to welcome their French fromage shaped cousins. A little nervous perhaps. As our Vive le Cheese ambassador, food & wine writer, Katrina Alloway, had said, what grows together goes together. So were we attempting too much?
But, I reasoned, we Brits have never been shy about exploring. And there had been many interesting sightings from fellow flavour-nauts – the malt maestro himself, Dave Broom, broke off from finalising his World Atlas of Whisky to say that Lagavulin 16yo [a traditional smoke-fest from Islay] was ‘a killer’ with Roquefort.
A tweet exchange with thewinesleuth suggested that Astley’s late harvest sweetie – a new discovery for both of us at the recent English wine trade tasting – might go well with a light blue or crumbly goats cheese. Artisanal cidre is such a legendary cheese partner, it would be rude not to see if the affinity crosses the channel. And as for beer…
Building bridges: Urban Wine 2009
A few weeks ago, in between an extensive Spanish tasting and donning my posh frock for the Benevolent’s annual ball, I zipped across town to a tasting with a difference. Fighting my way to the bar amidst the grandeur of the Le Gothique restaurant, it could have been any first growth launch. But no, despite the film crews this wasn’t a 99 pointer à la Monseiur Parker, rather it was the 2009 release from the Urban Wine Company, a refreshing rosé nicknamed Chateau Tooting made from grapes from the gardens and allotments of Greater London.
Community activist and Tooting resident Richard Sharp got the inspiration while holidaying with his young family in the south of France a few years ago. continue reading…
Richard Balfour-Lynn: same grapes but no fizz
Hotel du Vin visitors will be the first to try the still sibling to Hush Heath’s award-winning Balfour Brut Rosé this summer. Called Nannette’s English Rose after founder, hotel and retail magnate Richard Balfour-Lynn’s daughter, only 4500 bottles are being produced.
‘She lights up a room with her smile,’ Balfour-Lynn says of his daughter. ‘And the wine reflects that. Like her, it is soft, feminine and artistic.’ As we speak, Nannette, about to turn 17, is working with her mother, Leslie, to finalise the label.
Always one to trust his instincts, Balfour-Lynn has long believed that rosé has great potential. continue reading…
