Sparkling Wine News
Record Harvest & Growth for Prosecco DOC
The Consortium for the protection of Prosecco DOC has released new, official figures showing both a record 2015 harvest and year-on-year growth in levels of production since DOC status was granted in 2009. Despite claims of difficult growing conditions 4.5 million quintals of suitable grapes were harvested in 2015, which will make an estimated 3.4 million…
Simpsons Wine Estate Secures RDPE Grant for Winery Development
Charles and Ruth Simpson of Simpsons Wine Estate are delighted to announce that their application to the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme for grant funding for the development of a state-of-the-art winery, has been successful. The grant will assist in the conversion of two barns, which are situated equidistant to their vineyards…
English Sparkling Wine on the Increase in Japan
Could Japan be the next big market for English sparkling wine? Japanese wine importer Mottox seems to think so; after noticing the growing potential of the industry, they have decided to add 4 English sparkling wines to their portfolio. The chosen wineries are Hush Heath, Hattingley Valley, Digby Fine English and Bolney Estate. Sales of Champagne have been…
Rebuli Bastia, Prosecco from the Cartizze Hills
Rebuli Bastia winery was born in Saccol, in the heart of Valdobbiadene DOCG at the feet of the Bastìa hill, the beginning of the narrow but famous zone called Cartizze. Of small dimensions, but of great prestige, the company Azienda Agricola Rebuli Michele is the fruit of 5 generations lived among these wonderful as hard hillside…
Hattingley Valley Offers UK’s First Winemaking Apprenticeship
England’s wine industry has exploded over the last few years and to encourage young people to get involved in this exciting and dynamic industry, Hattingley Valley Wines has teamed up with The Worshipful Company of Vintners to offer a winemaking apprenticeship. Simon Robinson, Chairman of Hattingley Valley explains the rationale behind this initiative: “This May…
Pommery to Enter English Sparkling Wine Market
Champagne Pommery will be working with English producers to create a sparkling wine that should be on sale by 2019. Thierry Gasco, Pommery’s chef de cave, will be selecting English grapes and working with the award-winning winemaker Emma Rice at the Hattingley Valley winery in Hampshire. They have also kept their options open for planting vineyards…
Nyetimber Releases Tillington Single Vineyard 2010
Nyetimber has launched its second Tillington Single Vineyard vintage. Made from a blend of 78% Pinot Noir and 22% Chardonnay, Tillington is the first Single Vineyard sparkling wine from England with all grapes specially selected from a single vineyard site and underlines the producer’s uncompromising attention to detail and flavour. Only 4,117 bottles of the…
Strong Potential for Tasmanian Sparkling Wine in UK
The future for Tasmanian wine in the UK looks bright, trade representatives have said following a Tasmanian wine tasting in London. Wine Tasmania, supported by Wine Australia, hosted a trade and press master class for more than 50 guests at Australia House on Thursday. Presented by Michael Hill-Smith MW, co-owner of Tasmania’s Tolpuddle Vineyard, the…
Rathfinny Sussex Sparkling Wine gets a Rebrand
Rathfinny is a 600-acre wine estate in the South Downs which is set to become one of the biggest vineyards in the UK. With its rapid expansion and imminent release of its first vintage sparkling wine in 2018, the estate decided it needed a fresh look so they turned to iconic design house Pentagram, the largest…