Beora the First Crowdfunded English Sparkling Wine

Corks pop for the Simpson’s ‘Beora’the first crowdfunded English fizz named by the British public.

• Naked Wines’ first ever crowdfunded English sparkling wine has been launched in collaboration with Simpsons Wine Estate and the British public
• Beora is the name chosen by Angel investors for the historic English sparkling wine – they also chose the blend of grapes and label design
• English wine sales are up 24% at Naked Wines in 2018 and site searches for English sparkling wine and fizz are up 65% on the Naked website

Beora, the first English sparkling wine to be crowdfunded and named by the British public, goes on sale this week after a rigorous 24 months of voting and debating.

The wine, produced by Charles and Ruth Simpson at Simpsons Wine Estate in Barham, Kent, followed the first nationwide vote to name an English wine – brought about by a 24% increase in sales at Naked Wines of homegrown fizz.

Over 1,200 of Naked’s Angel investors have been involved from day one, having their say on the blend of the finished product, as well as the name and label.

The Angels selected the name of the wine from over 200 submitted names. The winner, with over 50% of the votes, was Beora – the name of the Saxon chief who the village of Barham was named after.

They chose an expressive blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, with high notes of white peach and a hint of toastiness on the nose. The Pinot Noir keeps it smooth and sophisticated, similar to a traditional Champagne.

When it came to the label design, Charles and Ruth approached The University of the Creative Arts in Kent, asking students to submit their label designs for the wine. The winning label, voted for by the Angels in June 2018, was designed by Katharine Leigh-Ferguson. She visited the winery in October to see her artwork on the finished product.

Each of the Angels who invested in 2016, will receive a case of four bottles of Beora 2016 and two bottles of Beora Reserve 2016 from the Simpsons Languedoc estate, Domaine Sainte Rose.

Eamon FitzGerald, MD, Naked Wines UK said: “Between Angels deciding on the blend, proposing the name of the wine, and voting for the label from a local art school student, this has been a real team effort between winemaker and customers. And the journey has just begun… Because of the amazing weather this year, English wine has had its vintage of the century. So, we’re only getting started with the Simpsons’ English wine adventure.”

Charles Simpson, winemaker said: “This project with Naked Wines has been incredibly fun and inclusive.  We have really enjoyed and appreciated the support and enthusiasm from the Angels over the past two years.  We are also pleased to hear that the Angel investors who have already received their bottles of Beora 2016 absolutely love it!”