On the 9th July I will be doing going on a short study tour and tasting of presumably and arguably the Top 10 English Fizz producers in the UK. Through friends I have managed to arrange a detailed visit and route which I am looking forward to – to taste and getting an update. Some four years ago I have been to some of these producers and knowing that so much has changed in the time – it is time to catch up with them.
The producers I will visit and report back on will be:
- Acre Hill Estate – Richard Morris
- Exton Park Vineyard – Fred Langdale & Corinne Seely
- Hattingley Valley – Emma Rice
- Coates & Seely
- Nyetimber – Cherie Spriggs
- Wiston – Dermot Surgue
- Ridgeview – Simon Roberts
- Breaky Bottom – Peter Hall
- Rathfinny Estate – Jonathan Medard
- Gusbourne – Charlie Holland
- Hush Heath – Victoria
With two Champagne Houses that has recently invested in some vineyards in the UK, these producers are enjoying the benefit of these investments.
Earlier this year Michelin Star UK chef Roger Jones, arranged over 24 local MCC’s and UK Sparkling Wines to be sampled and scored. Pieter ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira from Graham Beck led the South African team of judges while Richard Morris of Ancre Hill Estate in Wales led the Wales and UK team. This was held at The Vineyard Hotel in Newlands, Cape Town.
‘Bubbles’ Ferreira took the SA team to victory with 8 of the 11 blind tastings going in SA’s favour and also claimed the overall win on the night for his Graham Beck’s Cuveé Clive. Said Roger Jones about the evening, “It was not ultimately about winning. But the idea behind the evening was more to highlight the enormous steps UK sparkling wine has taken in recent years, as well as put more of an international spotlight on South African MCC”.
I cannot wait to give feedback, once I have been there and to meet up with friends on the other side.
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