About


THE STORY


It all started in 2013. Little did I know when venturing into my local wine store in Leicester that my former Champagne drinking days were numbered! The wine presented to me was the 2004 Nyetimber Classic Cuvée. It was a game-changer; my first ever tasting of an English Sparkling, let alone an English Wine, and it was absolutely divine!

The freshness drew me in; bold and punchy, a vibrant citrus kick with characteristically English orchard fruit, underpinned by rich toasted brioche and hints of nut and apricot. The Nyetimber was the sparkling wine I was looking for. I knew on this very day that something significant was happening in England.

Then living in Leicester, English Wine was not easy to come by – I discovered Chapel Down and English Bacchus. This new grape varietal was captivating and fresh, but simultaneously light and delicate – the antithesis of the cumbersome and over the top zingy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that plagued the supermarket wines shelves of England.

It wasn’t until May 2015 and after having relocated to Surrey, that I ventured to the English Wine Producers Press and Trade Tasting. I arrived, eager-eyed and ready to see if these chance encounters were a one-off. Was England truly ready to enter the global stage of world-class winemaking?

The answer was a resounding YES! Before my eyes, rows of superb English Sparkling wines ready and waiting for discovery. This day was also my first encounter with Wiston Classic Cuvée, with Hush Heath Balfour Brut Rosé and with Chapel Down’s Kit’s Coty Chardonnay. These wines would go on to inspire me to embark on a long journey of English Wine discovery.

The next day I sat down at my laptop, still buzzing from the day before, but inspired to get the word out about English Wine. That same day GreatBritishWine.com was born out of pure passion and the want to create a platform to explore and to share my journey with others. This site is all about what makes our fine country the most exciting upcoming wine region in the world!


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