NEWS

The English winemaker Nyetimber has started its biggest harvest to date and expects to make more than a million bottles of sparkling wine.

Luxury lifestyle publication, The Sybarite, published a review of their visit to Wiltons for the start of oyster season, enjoying their fill alongside Nyetimber pairings. Journalist Hannah Tan Gillies said: “The two-hour sessions, perfect for both novices and afficionados alike, combine a dozen fresh, cooked and dressed oysters with three delicious English sparkling wines from Nyetimber. With just eight people per session, the intimate masterclasses, which begin with a short history of Wilton’s and Nyetimber, offer a wealth of oyster knowledge…” She ended saying: “No oyster masterclass is complete without a fine selection of bubbles and Nyetimber’s sparkling wines certainly didn’t fail to impress. We started with the Nyetimber Blanc de Blanc, followed by the Classic Cuvee Multi-vintage, and concluded with the Classic Cuvee Vintage from 2009, a rich and complex blend that showcases the best of the best of English sparkling wine.”

Roger Jones wrote a review of his highlights, saying of Nyetimber: “There is no question that Nyetimber has helped the industry hugely, and continues to excel in the sparkling wines that they produce, especially their ability to hold stocks back and release when perfect to drink.”
He then lists some of his favourites saying of 1086 Prestige Cuvee 2010: “Rare treat to try this outstanding wine, perfectly balanced, elegant, and you certainly know you are having a superb experience as the tiny bubbles dance on the palate, with a nutty caramel background evolving with the fruit, shouting out to be matched to the finest English grey leg partridge with wild mushrooms

England’s leading producer of sparkling wine debuts its latest release, the Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2014.

Blanc de Blancs was the style that made Nyetimber’s name when it was first produced in 1992. The foundation of the estate kicked off a whole new sparkling wine industry in England, a sector that is now burgeoning.

Made from 100% estate-grown fruit, the wine expresses “the warm and fine weather conditions of the 2014 growing season: an excellent harvest with ripe fruit flavours and a beautifully balanced acidity,” says winemaker Brad Greatrix. “I would serve Blanc de Blancs alongside delicious British seafood such as fresh white crab on toast, buttery Dover sole or a big bowl of creamy mussels,” he recommends.

A number of gourmet editors and chefs picked out a selection of high-end sparkling wines from around the world. Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blanc 2013 is presented by editor Satake.

It is introduced as an “unforgettable English Sparkling”. The article goes onto detail the growing conditions of Nyetimber wines in the South of England, describing is as the “perfect place for growing grapes in terms of both soil and climate”. Finally, Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blanc is touted as the “perfect surprise” for wine experts, with its arrival in Japan still fairly recent.

まず「イギリスのスパークリング」というフックで、一度聞いたらその存在が忘れられない「ナイティンバー」。英国南部のウエストサセックス州に自社の畑を持ち「パーフェクトリーブリティッシュ」にこだわって3種のブドウすべてをここで育てています。

Nyetimber has released a new Blanc de Blancs vintage, created from the 2014 harvest. Blanc de Blancs is taken from a single vintage and given extended aging time on the lees, improving the rich and complex flavour palette, according to Nyetimber. It is made using 100% chardonnay grapes, the original style of wine first produced at the Nyetimber estate in 1992. The new release is characterised by its light golden colour, with a fine and delicate mousse. Aromas of citrus and honeysuckle lead into brioche and vanilla characters with baked lemon and white peach on the palate.

By Neal Martin

Last August, I drove down to Nyetimber’s winery and spent a day with wife and husband Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix, head winemaker and winemaker, respectively. After inspecting their nearby vineyard, we conducted a comprehensive vertical that included current releases and a look back to the wines from the Nineties.

“All fruit comes from our own vines. Anything with Nyetimber on the label is 100% from our vines, so production depends on the season.” Brad Greatrix explained.

“One big change in terms of harvesting is that we were one of the first to go and taste the grapes at harvest. – Also, in using the parcel-by-parcel approach, we taste grapes to inform us where there are differences between blocks or within the block due to undulations, so that we can harvest them separately. That has continued as we have grown. We use only three varieties but with all 11 sites in full production, we will have well over 100 base wines.” Greatrix continued.

What better way to enjoy the heat of summer than with a delicious sparkling wine? Nyetimber’s Multi-Vintage Rosé is the perfect beverage for summer afternoons, bringing a touch of English elegance to picnics, celebrations or even just casual drinks at home. And it is the perfect complement for Japanese food! If you’re looking for a drink to go with a fresh seafood dish, then Nyetimber’s Classic Cuvee is also highly recommended.

Right now, UK wine is fizzing with energy. Pioneering sparkling wine producers have turned a former joke, English wine, into an internationally award-winning force, the success of which is attracting new producers as UK vineyards grow rapidly.

According to industry body, WineGB, Britain is now home to 165 wineries and 770 vineyards. Their output is not huge – around 9-16 million bottles are produced annually, in a country which drank 1.7 billion bottles last year, reports IWSR Drinks Market Analysis. But what this craft industry lacks in size it makes up for in quality.

Naturally, the royals are also devotees of English-made goods, and this English sparkling wine brand is not only rumored to be a favorite of Her Majesty, it also earned the honor of being served at Kate Middleton’s sister, Pippa’s, wedding.

Where’s it from?
The greensand and chalk soils of Nyetimber — a winemaker that owns ten vineyards across West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. This sparkling rosé benefits from the British climate, allowing for slow ripening.
Which grape varieties?
That that textbook Champagne blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Handpicked at the optimal time every year, the grapes are gently pressed to extract maximum flavour.
Flavours and aromas?
Boasting a beautiful, sunset pink colour, this bottling has creamy brioche notes, barrels of rich red berry flavours — and an intriguing touch of spices ranging from anise to lavender.

Quite bright pink in colour. The nose shows enticing red fruit (strawberry, raspberry) with warm brioche notes. This is a very accomplished English pink fizz, on the dry side, crisp and firm. It bears comparison with big names from Champagne, at a similar price.