TODAY marks the start of English Wine Week (May 24) so it’s time to celebrate with some of the nation’s medal-winning wines.
One of five Gold medal winners, Gusbourne is a boutique winery with vineyards in Kent and West Sussex that were first planted in 2004 and their current release, Gusbourne Estate Brut Reserve 2009, Kent (£28, Oddbins), marks their second consecutive Gold. Predominantly made from chardonnay with a top-up of pinot noir and pinot meunier for strength and body, it has an attractive floral nose, a crisp, fresh palate, with notes of baked apples and pears and good acidity.
English wine’s original powerhouse and the UK's first commercial vineyard, Hambledon in Hampshire, have released Hambledon Classic Cuvee NV (£28.50, Fields, Morris & Verdin, 020 7819 0360) after a multimillion pound regeneration of the estate amid hopes of recreating their success from the 1950s. A blend of 70% chardonnay, 20% pinot meunier and 10% pinot noir from the 2010 and 2011 vintages, it’s classy, crisp and pure.
A former winemaker at Nyetimber, Dermot Sugrue has launched his second vintage of Sugrue Pierre ‘The Trouble With Dreams’ 2010, Sussex (£35, www.eebria.com) which is made from a small vineyard he planted on chalk in 2006. It’s received rave reviews and you’d be hard-pushed not to think it was champagne.
Another label to watch out for Ridgeview was founded almost 20 years ago and their Ridgeview Marksman Blanc de Blancs Brut 2010, Sussex (£26, Marks & Spencer) is made exclusively for M&S.
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