Welcome to the newsletter first edition...
Welcome to the first Wine Tasting Company Newsletter — featuring English sparkling wine, the remarkable story behind Nyetimber, and a very telling verdict from a 60-year-old.
Hello and welcome to the first edition of the Wine Tasting Company Newsletter. This is a new venture, and if there are topics you'd like to hear more about, please do get in touch — I'd love to include them in future editions.
British Wine — and Bubbles Worth Celebrating
Being British, we love to talk about the weather. So instead, let's talk about British wine — and for the record, our sparkling is very good. Watch out, Champagne.
English sparkling wine is so good, in fact, that the Queen serves her guests a particular bottle: Nyetimber. And as my mother turned 60 last month, I thought — if it's good enough for the Queen, it's good enough for my mother. We popped the cork. Her verdict: "It's lovely." Phew.
Nyetimber 2001 Cuvée
Nyetimber 2001 Cuvée is genuinely gorgeous — a nose of honey, a medium body offering fruit with hints of brioche. Nyetimber is based in Sussex and Hampshire, and has had several owners over the years. It's currently owned by Dutch entrepreneur Eric Heerema. The Manor House of Nyetimber was once gifted to Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII, though she never took up residence.
The real sparkling history of Nyetimber began in 1988, when an American couple discovered the geological similarities between the English terroir and that of Champagne in France. It was then sold to songwriter Andy Hill, who co-wrote the Eurovision song "Making Your Mind Up" for Bucks Fizz. Somehow this feels right.
Through all its changes of ownership, one thing has stayed constant: the blend. The grapes used are the same as in Champagne: Chardonnay (white grape), Pinot Noir (black grape) and Pinot Meunier (black grape). They also make a Blanc de Blancs — from Chardonnay alone.
Next time you pick up a bottle of sparkling wine made in the Champagne style, you'll know what's in it. If it says Blanc de Blancs, it's just Chardonnay. Over time, we'll explore other sparkling styles from around the world — and the different methods used to get those bubbles into the bottle.