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- Written by Nick Breeze (@NickGBreeze) Nick Breeze (@NickGBreeze)
- Published: 26 July 2019 26 July 2019
Langham Wine Estate From Dorset pick up the 'Top Sparkling' English Wine Trophy
I’ve spent the week in Portugal, with interludes talking with many wine savvy people. Building a world view of the warps and wefts of the world of fine wine is a much-loved topic. While opening bottles from across the Alentejo, Douro, Dao, Vinho Verde, Champagne and beyond, our conversation naturally turns to the subject of quality English wines and then (like the taste of last night's garlic in the morning) to our national woes.
Untangling wine and politics
It is certainly topical in this context to receive today the list of winners of the British 'Best In Show'.
As a disclaimer, I see no link between the quality of contemporary British dry, still, sparkling wine and the travesty of Brexit that we now face. Nationalism, or anti-European-ism is not our aim or game.
The Irony
While Brexiteers may conveniently hinge themselves to the success of English wines (for whatever tenuous reasons), it should be stated very clearly that this success is correlated scientifically to the global warming effects of profligate carbon emissions.
It's not a criticism, just a statement of fact considering so many politicians in favour of Brexit, disfavour meaningful action to make the Paris Climate Agreement a reality.
Thus by doing do, they are against conserving (or at least, prolonging) the period of euphoria that our home grown bevvy of producers currently enjoy.
Enough said, there are celebrations afoot. Without further ado, let's list them accordingly:
Gold Medals:
ALDER RIDGE VINEYARD
Blanc de Noirs 2014
BOLNEY WINE ESTATE
Pinot Noir 2018
BREAKY BOTTOM
Cuvée Peter Christiansen 2014
Cuvée Gerard Hoffnung 2009
Cuvée Oliver Minkley 2011
CAMEL VALLEY VINEYARD
Bacchus Dry 2018
CHAPEL DOWN
Bacchus 2018
Kit’s Coty Chardonnay 2016 Kit’s Coty Coeur De Cuvée 2014 Three Graces 2015
DAVENPORT VINEYARDS
Limney Estate 2013
DENBIES WINE ESTATE LTD
Ranmore Hill 2017 Cubitt Blanc de Noirs 2013
DIGBY FINE ENGLISH
Non Vintage Brut NV
GUSBOURNE
Pinot Noir 2016 Guinevere 2016
Blanc de Blancs 2013
Brut Reserve Late Disgorged 2010 Rosé 2015
Cherry Garden Rosé 2018
HARROW & HOPE
Harrow & Hope Blanc de Blancs 2014
Harrow & Hope Brut Reserve NV
Harrow & Hope Blanc de Noirs 2013
Harrow & Hope Brut Rosé 2015
HATTINGLEY VALLEY WINES
Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs 2013
SILVER MEDALS
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ASHLING PARK ESTATE
Rosé 2014
BEARLEY VINEYARD
Bearley Sparkling 2016
BLUEBELL VINEYARD ESTATES
Hindleap Blanc de Blancs 2013
Ashdown Rosé 2018
Hindleap Classic Cuvée 2014
BOLNEY WINE ESTATE
Pinot Gris 2018
Estate Bacchus 2018
Autumn Spice 2018
BREAKY BOTTOM
Cuvée Michelle Moreau 2014
CAMEL VALLEY VINEYARD
Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2016
Cornwall Brut 2015
CHAPEL DOWN
Kit's Coty Blanc de Blancs 2014
Rosé Brut NV
CHARTHAM VINEYARD
Pinot Gris 2018
COATES AND SEELY
Rosé NV
DAVENPORT VINEYARDS
Diamond Fields 2017
DENBIES WINE ESTATE LTD
Cubitt Blanc de Blancs 2013
DIGBY FINE ENGLISH
2010 Vintage Reserve Brut
2014 Vintage Rosé
FLINT VINEYARD
Pinot Noir Précoce 2018
Bacchus 2018
For a full list that includes Bronze medal winner visit the WineGB website.
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