Dorset sparkling wine producer Langham Wine Estate is celebrating success in the 2018 Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA) with a Gold for its sparkling Langham Rosé 2014 which was also chosen as this year’s top sparkling wine. In addition Langham Blanc de Noirs 2013 was awarded a Silver medal.
England’s only independent wine competition saw 88 different wines from 22 counties and 51 different producers blind tasted by an 18-person judging panel and chaired by Master of Wine Liam Steevenson. Judges praised the traditional-method Rosé sparkling wine, applauding its “excellent nose” and “ripe brilliant aromatics.”
Owner Justin Langham comments on the latest accolades: “We are delighted to have received these awards which reflect our passion for producing world-class sparkling wines from our Dorset estate. The calibre of this competition is extremely high and we are very proud that such an acclaimed group of judges deemed our Rosé 2014 the top sparkling wine. This is a huge boost for our small team as we move in to a busy time bottling last year’s wines, tending the vines and welcoming visitors to the estate.”
Langham Rosé 2014, a beautiful salmon pink sparkling cuvée, is a blend of the Estate’s finest Pinot Noir (89%) and Chardonnay (11%). This wine has a fine stream of small bubbles with a rich nose of butter pastry, strawberry and fresh red cherry. The palate is light and refreshing with flavours reminiscent of summer fruit pudding and a complex honeyed richness on the finish. It can be happily enjoyed on its own, with lightly spiced Asian-inspired dishes or with fresh fruit desserts.
Blanc de Noirs 2013 is a harmonious blend of 58% Pinot noir and 42% Pinot meunier, produced in a year when the red grapes are deemed of exceptional quality. Rich gold colour with a stream of fine bubbles, the nose is alive with red fruit, violet and brioche aromas. These flavours are joined by citrus fruit on the palate and complemented by the complexity derived from prolonged lees ageing. The Blanc de Noirs 2013 drinks equally well on its own or with food and is perfect now, or, if you can bear it, lay down in your cellar for up to three years.
It’s been a busy season for the Rosé 2014 as earlier this year Langham Wine Estate partnered with Dorset neighbours Purbeck Ice Cream to produce the first Langham Fizz Rosé Sorbet, a delicate, refreshing sorbet perfect for cleansing your palate this Summer! Available from The Vineyard Café or contact Purbeck Ice Cream for local restaurants and hotels serving this unique Dorset delight.
The Rosé 2014 is available from Marks and Spencer or direct from Langham Wine Estate with an RRP of £26. Langham Blanc de Noirs 2013 is available direct from the winery, with an RRP of £27.
