English sparkle at award ceremonies

Published: 23 July, 2008

English sparkling wine producers Nyetimber and Ridgeview both scooped prestigious awards last week.

Nyetimber took the Gore-Browne Trophy for Wine of the Year and a number of other prizes at the English and Welsh Wine Awards, and Ridgeview won the Yarden Trophy for Best Bottle-Fermented Sparkling Wine at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, a category which featured entries from more than 55 countries (excluding Champagnes).

Ridgeview's winning wine was the 2002 Merret Bloomsbury, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and the company has now won 44 medals and 12 trophies since it began selling in 2000.

Mardi Roberts, who handles sales and marketing for Ridgeview, told Harpers that the team checked the news several times before they celebrated in style: I ran to the office to check, because my stomach was doing somersaults! It's a trophy we've always wanted and respected and it's something we've aimed for since day one.'

Nyetimber's award-winner, the 1999 Classic Cuve, was also judged the best wine produced in excess of 10,000 litres and the best sparkling wine, while its 1999 Premire Cuve Blanc de Blancs was the best single-varietal wine.

Owner Andy Hill said: I am absolutely over the moon that Nyetimber has once again won the Gore-Browne Trophy, as well as these many other terrific awards. We have always striven to produce the best, and it is a great honour to have that acknowledged.'

Other domestic winners included: 2004 Camel Valley Bacchus (best wine of the previous year's vintage); 2003 Sharpham Pinot Noir (best red); 2003 Denbies Hillside Chardonnay (best oaked white); and 2004 Camel Valley Cornish Ros (best still ros).

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