Sparkling Wine News
Nyetimber – the stuff of dreams
The night before my visit to Nyetimber I slept badly. I dreamt that I was walking among crowds of people towards the vineyard and was distracted by a giant winery that had somehow been transported from Champagne to the street where I walked. I wandered inside, spent ages exploring and eventually found myself in a…
Albert de Vilarnau Cava
Vilarnau is a top-end, finely crafted Cava produced on a small and very exclusive scale with a touch of the avant-garde about it. This Cava has many links to the city of Barcelona with strong links to the modern, cutting edge spirit of the one of Spain’s most famous conurbations . Vilarnau is situated in…
Kingscote Vineyards
Hidden half a mile down a quiet track from Vowells Lane, between East Grinstead and Turners Hill is Kingscote Vineyards. Kingscote which was once part of the Gravetye estate and is overlooked by Mill Place Farm, a converted 14 century stone master’s house which is now home to owners Christen and Alison Monge and their four…
Ambriel launches Blanc de Noirs
Ambriel Blanc de Noirs launched on Friday 19th September 2014. The English Sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir grapes ripened on the sunny south-facing slopes of Sussex. Matured on the lees for 3 years, the initial sip is of fresh lime and ripe peach, making way for honeycomb and warmed brioche. It has a fine,…
The British Bottle Company
The British Bottle Company is the first company to specialise in the export of premium British drinks. Founded by food and drink entrepreneur Red Johnson, the company represents a portfolio of suppliers in three categories including English Sparkling Wine. Red is supported by an Advisory Board that includes leading names from the drinks industry including his…
How sparkling wine is made at J Vineyards
We ask J Vineyards how they make their sparkling wine. Sparkling wine grapes are harvested normally in August, earlier than varietal wine grapes, to capture the natural acidity in the fruit. The grapes are then delicately pressed as whole clusters in a Coquard press. This is a specialized machine, designed in France which keeps the…
How do we know when the grapes are ready to pick?
It’s time to pick the grapes! The big question is how do we know when the grapes are ready? Can you tell by look or by tasting them? Are mind-straining mathematical equations required? Or do one of those little tiny birds in the vineyard let us know? Well, it’s actually all of the above and…
Zonin Prosecco
Zonin Prosecco is a varietal wine made from the Prosecco grape which is native to the Veneto region. There, the Zonin family owns the largest Prosecco vineyards in Italy and it is from these vineyards that the fruit for Prosecco is sourced. This control over all aspects of the production from vineyard to glass allows…
Org de Rac Organic Wine Estate
Org de Rac organic wine estate is at the foot of the Piketberg, Swartland. The approach at Org de Rac stems from a deep respect and commitment to the natural environment, the people involved in making the wine and the people who will finally enjoy our wine. The result of our organic farming methods is a…