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EWP Press & Trade Tasting Event 11th May 2015

My pick of the three favourite wines I tasted at the EWP Press & Trade event in London in May.

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A dedicated #EnglishWine & #EnglishSparkling resource, doing our part to promote home grown wines.
Peter Hall 1943-2025 – remembered by friends and Peter Hall 1943-2025 – remembered by friends and colleagues I was delighted to be asked to share my thoughts and memories of the legendary Peter Hall of @breaky_bottom for an article by Peter Dean for @thebuyer11. "One time, Peter sent me a case of mixed Breaky Bottom releases, new and old. It was a generous selection, but Peter was like that - too generous perhaps. But upon delivery, there was something extra in the case, which Peter himself described as a “joke” wine on the accompanying note. Certainly no joke in reality, it was in fact a bottle of Breaky Bottom’s Würzer ‘Dry White Table Wine' 1989! Peter warned me, “it was stored at nearly 30 degrees C in the recent hot weather should mean it’s totally ‘caputsen’, so be careful!!!” The wine was still remarkably alive, despite a rather sorry cork, and the bottle became one of my great English wine mementos that I still cherish to this day." I'll post a link to the full article in my stories, with many more memories and photos from myself and others in the industry.
Cornish producer Trevibban Mill is one I have know Cornish producer Trevibban Mill is one I have known since my early days exploring English wine, yet the wines have somehow escaped my attention for all these years. That was until @posingwithalcohol kindly brought a bottle to our English wine gathering this week. The Dark Lane Reserve is crafted from 100% Dornfelder grapes from the heady 2018 vintage. The wine was aged in French oak for 29 month and it clocks in at an impressive 14% abv. It's deep and inky in colour, with a rich nose of black fruit, dark spices and violet. The palate is beautifully dense and plush, full of black cherry and blackberry flavours, with hints of prune and tobacco spice. Incredibly impressive, only 637 bottles were made, though the last few are available at a rather eye-watering £99.95!
A bold English red to surprise even the most Rondo A bold English red to surprise even the most Rondo skeptic! @winbirri Grand Reserve 2015 I previously tried this wine back during the first Covid lockdown, then with an unassuming white label handwritten with 2015 ‘Name Yet Unknown’. Winbirri’s Lee Dyer explained to me that it was the ultimate manifestation of his Rioja-inspired approach to red winemaking. Now appropriately dubbed ‘Grand Reserve’ (clearly again drawing parallels with Rioja’s Gran Reserva), this is like 100% Rioja that was aged in oak barrique for 36 months, and it has spent the past five or so years in bottle, continuing to rest patiently until its recent release. The colour is pleasingly deep ruby in hue, and the nose is a welcoming mixture of dark cherry, vanilla and tobacco, with hints of smoke and prunes... Full review over on GreatBritishWine.com - this one shouldn't be missed!
The Heretics The Cut Chardonnay This is the seco The Heretics The Cut Chardonnay This is the second Chardonnay offering from The Heretics, with the fruit coming once again from Missing Gate Vineyard, ‘The Cut’ dials up the oak use; the wine is a mixture of 42% New Puncheon and 58% neutral barriques. The nose is incredibly fragrant and opulent, with green apple and lemon partnering buttery popcorn, peach and floral aromas. The palate has a lovely burst of energy that reminds you it’s an English Chardonnay, but the green apple vibrancy soon gives way to peach and baked apple with hints of spice and honeycomb. There’s a lovely slinky softness to the wine, but it’s the toffee apple and popcorn oak that leaves a long-lasting impression. This is bold and confident winemaking. Full review of GreatBritishWine.com (link in peofile) with links to pre order. The wine is due to ship on 4th November.
Raising a glass in memory of Peter Hall England’s First True Winemaking Icon RIP 1943-2025 Peter touched so very many people throughout his story-filled life. His dedication to those who touched his life, through each and every bottle, and to his wine and Seyval Blanc, was unparalleled. It’s hard to find words to do justice to such a brilliant, humble man, but I wanted to take the opportunity to remember Peter tonight. I opened up a bottle of Peter’s Cuvée Koizumi Yakumo Seyval Blanc 2010. Truly the world’s first Seyval Blanc, and the wine that cemented Breaky Bottom in my heart. I raise a glass to you tonight Peter. Goodbye, my dear friend Peter. Your stories and legend will live on through those who continue to taste and enjoy your wines.
Great Wheatley is another name in the emergence of Great Wheatley is another name in the emergence of Essex’s Crouch Valley as a region to take serious notice of for still English wines. Their vineyard was planted in 2021 on clay soils. Great Wheatley works with the familiar faces of viticulturist Duncan McNeill and winemaker Ben Smith of Itasca. They arrive this month with their first still Chardonnay, which boasts a striking and modern-looking label. The label illustrates the topography of the land around the historical Manor House of Wheatley, with the X marking the ‘House on the Hill’. There’s some clever textural play here, with well-used integration of leesy and malolactic textures introducing a weight and creaminess that elevates this Chardonnay, together with the touches of vanilla and spice. Definitely a name to watch. Full review on GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile)
As a producer with their eyes firmly on the gastro As a producer with their eyes firmly on the gastronomic pairing potential of English Sparkling Wine, Exton Park spotted an opportunity with – as they say in their press release – the “growing demand from chefs and sommeliers for sparkling wines that can accompany sweet or delicate savoury dishes”. I personally find Demi-Sec a fascinating and often misunderstood category of sparkling wine, and always enjoy the chance to taste one. Personally, I find that Demi Sec is in its element paired with savoury, rather than sweet. With a penchant for Asian flavours, I find that Chinese dishes that balance umami and sweetness with little or no spice to be the perfect pairing. Hong Shao Rou, or red-braised pork belly, is a perfect match. The acidity of the wine cuts through the rich fatty meat, while the sweetness of the Demi Sec wine complements the sweet and umami flavours of the sauce. Scroll across for my food pairing, and check out GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile) for my review of the wine.
Today its the WineGB Press and Trade Tasting in Lo Today its the WineGB Press and Trade Tasting in London. I've up five of the great new releases to look out for at the show today. @jojos_vineyard Premier Rosé 2021 @hundredhillswine Blanc de Noirs 2021 @langhamwinery Perpetual Chardonnay First Edition @extonparkvineyard Reserve Blend Demi Sec @balfourwinery Scout's Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Swe you all there in a couple of hours!
A ‘Vineyard for the Soul’ – JoJo’s Vineyar A ‘Vineyard for the Soul’ – JoJo’s Vineyard owner, Ian Beecher-Jones, describes working in a vineyard as enriching the soul. Premier Cuvée 2021 is one of a pair of first sparkling wine releases made from the first harvest at JoJo’s. It’s a blend of 48% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir (including some Meunier), and 16% Pinot Blanc. Winemaking is as low-intervention as possible. The primary fermentation was with indigenous yeast, and the Premier has zero dosage, but remains surprisingly supple and approachable. Read my full review of this brilliant release from @jojos_vineyard on GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile). For those going to the @winegb trade tasting on Monday, do head over to see JoJo's, who will be pouring their still and sparkling wines.
In his latest article, Stephen looks at recent dev In his latest article, Stephen looks at recent developments and progress at Norfolk’s Cobble Hill Vineyard. “I’m tired of saying it, indeed I’ve mentioned it before in these pages: Norfolk is not flat. One of the areas in this ceremonial county that isn’t flat is the downland south of the north-west coast. Gently undulating, and sitting on a bed of Lower Cretaceous sandstones and clays, lies a fertile area east of Sandringham and west of Fakenham. It is here, in between the villages of Docking and Stanhoe, that the nine-acre Cobble Hill Vineyard lies. But like nearby Burn Valley Vineyard, it has predominantly chalk and flint from a seam that runs from Hunstanton cliffs 8 miles to the west.” The article continues on GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile) Photos with thanks to @cobblehillwine
@langhamwinery Perpetual Chardonnay First Edition. @langhamwinery Perpetual Chardonnay First Edition. As featured in my recent real about the "Tommy Trio" This is one of the most important wines in the current era of English winemaking. That’s no mean feat. as there have been a lot of outstanding wines over the last few years in particular, but this wine personifies the strive for quality, for distinction and for exploration that Langham Wine Estate and winemaker Tommy Grimshaw have worked to achieve. The first edition of Perpetual is made with the best Chardonnay from the 2017, 2018 and 2019 vintages. The wine takes the foundations of the perpetual cuvée principles of iconic Champagne producer Anselme Selosse. With each subsequent vintage, Perpetual will gain complexity and development, now housed in a 2000L Slavonian Oak foudre from Tuscany. So, with all this build-up, a profound 99 points and ‘Supreme Champion’ Trophy at WineGB awards, the question is: does it live up to the hype? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. Check out GreatBritishWine.com for my thoughts on this outstanding wine.
A look at three of my recent top English Sparkling A look at three of my recent top English Sparkling Wine releases, all from winemaker @tommy__grimshaw I've dubbed this 'The Tommy Trio' @langhamwinery Perpetual Chardonnay First Edition, £95 @yarn_wine Classic Cuvee 2020, £70 @jojos_vineyard Premier Cuvee 2021, £39 Have you tried any of these? What did you think of them?
While built into a four-generation and over 80-yea While built into a four-generation and over 80-year farming business, Four Daughters is a relatively recent English wine endeavour, with vines planted around five years ago on the family's Westerhill Farm in Kent. Their inaugural Chardonnay is from the 2023 vintage, and comparatively well-priced (for an English Chardonnay) at £21.99. The wine spent a brief period (three months) on ok barrels for a touch of vanilla and oak spice. The palate has a classic orchard fruit combo of apple and pear, with touches of peach and creaminess, as well as a brisk lemony acidity that cuts through the fruit nicely. Onto the Pinot Noir 2023, which like the Chardonnay, is favourably priced at £21.99. Light complexion, with a nose of cranberry, cherry, black pepper, and a touch of savoury complexity. Best served lightly chilled, this has punchy, tangy red fruit flavours as well as enough peppery spice and a touch of earthiness to hold interest.  A strong first impression, and do look out for their @winegb Gold medal winning Albariño.
A small round-up of brand new or soon-to-be-releas A small round-up of brand new or soon-to-be-released Bacchus. Penn Croft Village Bacchus 2024 This is a really vibrant expression of Bacchus. Think Sauvignon Blanc in style, with lots of grapefruit and lime zing as well bags of gooseberry and grassy aromatics. It's direct and refreshing, and sure to appeal to fans of that style of wine. Penn Croft Bacchus Reserve 2024 A more grown-up expression to counter the Village's youthful liveliness. This Bacchus is lifted with hedegrow and grapefruit, as well as suggestions of nectarine and crisp green apple. There's still that lovely English acidity at its core, with saline textures and satisfying length. Great Wheatley Bacchus 2024 Perhaps the most subdued of the wines tasted here, and subtlety is a rare quality to find in an English Bacchus. The Great Wheatley has a characteristic nose that's more herbaceous and floral (though not overtly elderflower) than citrus and tropical fruits. With air, and when it is allowed to warm in the glass a little, and this becomes increasingly beguiling. Hunger Hill Merstone Bacchus 'No. 3' 2023 Hunger Hill caught my attention during a strong showing at this year's IEWA. This Bacchus 'No.3' continues that trend. Immediately contrasting in style to all the other Bacchus tasted here, the Merstone has a distinctively reductive nuance of struck match and flint. Add to that the grape's signature citrus acidity, but then richer, fleshier notes of peach. Plumpton Lot 234 Bacchus Reserve 2023 An intriguing expression. On the nose; peach, nectarine and honeysuckle. It's a little atypical for Bacchus, and has characteristics that I liken more to Solaris or even English Chardonnay. The palate continues in this vein, with stone fruit and creamy textures as well as a comparatively lower acidity.
I had the chance to visit the delightful Rowles Vi I had the chance to visit the delightful Rowles Vineyard in Berkshire during English Wine Week for the launch of this, their first Bacchus. Rowles Farm is a third-generation farming business, with twins William and Thomas Carlisle, together with sister Georgie, planting 30,000 vines on their farm in the village of West Ilsley. Read my thoughts on the @rowles_farm Bacchus 2024 on GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile)
To say that I’ve been hounding winemaker Tommy G To say that I’ve been hounding winemaker Tommy Grimshaw with messages asking when I could get my hands on the first release of Yarn, a collaborative project with Alessandro Fraquell of Jim Barry Wines in South Australia, would perhaps be an understatement. When I heard Tommy had his own wine on the way, and reading the initial impressions of the lucky few that had tasted, I knew that it would be exactly my kind of thing, and I had to try it. The wine launched today to consumers via @shrinetothevine at £70, though it appears it has already sold out in mere minutes. Head over to GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile) for my full review.
Is this the most important English wine of the yea Is this the most important English wine of the year? Last week @langhamwinery swept the floor at the @winegb. Countless trophies were awarded, but the crowing moment being awarded the title of Supreme Champion for their Perpetual Chardonnay. I've tasted it at last, and it truly is a defining moment for the estate and for ESW. A full review will follow in the coming days, but first I've stepped into the GBW Tardis. I've travelled back to February 2020, unbelievably the last time I visited Langham. It was the day I first heard about Perpetual, and tried some of the outstanding Chardonnay parcels that went into the wine.... From my notes; "Langham has been putting the foundations in place for a perpetual cuvée system. Tommy treated me to a sample of two components from the future Langham Perpetual Cuvée Blanc de Blancs. These 2017 and 2018 Chardonnay barrel samples are some of the most outstanding English Chardonnay base wines I’ve tasted to date. Indeed, the aromatics and fruit concentration of these had more in common with still Chardonnay than sparkling base thanks to the warm hug of oak and then driving, exacting fruit purity. This is going to be an exciting space to watch, but it’s going to be quite a wait. The inaugural release will be based on the ’17, ’18 and ’19 Chardonnay, and will potentially spend four years on the lees before it is ready for release. Tommy looked further ahead, proposing that his future self, or a future winemaker, will ultimately have 20 years' worth of components to work with in a couple of decades' time."
(Early) Anniversary Bubbles. Every year I pop a (Early) Anniversary Bubbles. Every year I pop a bottle of 2013 ESW to celebrate our wedding anniversary. This year was the turn of the timeless @digbyfineenglish Blanc de Blancs 2013. A racy wine, this invigorates the palate with laser sharp precision and bags of zingy lemon, crunchy apple and bright chalky notes. It's 12 years young and still incredibly youthful, but has delicious undertones of baked apple pie, brioche and touches of peach. I paired with Vietnamese style crab and prawn crystal rolls with lots of lime and coriander. It doesn't get much better than this! Beautiful flowers too from @longacresgc as always.
A big thanks to @rowles_farm for inviting us to at A big thanks to @rowles_farm for inviting us to attend the launch of their very first Bacchus 2024. Rowles Vineyard is located in the village of West Ilsley in Berkshire, and they have 30,000 vines planted with Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir and Bacchus. It's a family business run by twins Tom and Will and their sister Georgie. Their Bacchus 2024 is a classic, modern Bacchus. Lots of lime , hedgerow and grassy notes, with citrus and light elderflower tones. Lovely and crisp in the warm summer sun, perfectly accompanied by live music, wood fired pizza and face painting!
Discovering Albariño with Fergus Elias Balfour W Discovering Albariño with Fergus Elias Balfour Winery has been one of the most progressive producers in England for a good number of years. Founded in 2004 by Richard Balfour-Lynn, the winery has expanded considerably beyond its vision of being England’s answer to Champagne’s Billecart-Salmon Rosé. Indeed, it’s range of wines now extends to well over forty different releases, from the brilliant Balfour Brut Rosé to a solid line-up of still wine expressions and countless exciting and limited-edition releases. Last year saw Balfour, led by winemaker Fergus Elias, release their first single variety Balfour Albariño 2022. An English take on the classic Galician grape, the wine was received with much acclaim from critics and English Wine followers including myself. With the follow-up vintage having now been released, plus the 1503 Albariño 2023 available exclusively in Majestic, I caught up with Fergus to discuss his journey so far with the grape. Read the interview on GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile)
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