Taking the world one wine at a time.
Grapes 100% Seyval BlancYes, you are indeed forgiven for never having heard-of/tasted Seyval Blanc. The reason this French hybrid grape is starting to see a rise in popularity in English vineyards (as well as in New York and Canada), is that it isn’t opposed to a little cold weather (something which England does so well), since it buds and ripens early. Facts The time is currently 8:28am GMT and I’m headed back to the…
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The New York Times has reported that the Chapel Down Winery (England), recently crushed more than two tons of refrigerated Malbec grapes that had been air-freighted over from Mendoza, Argentina, in hopes of producing an English take on the popular South American wine. The problem came when it was time to bottle. Frazer Thompson, chief executive of Chapel Down, was told that he had breached regulations that prohibit the use of grapes from outside the…
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According to reports, sales of English sparkling wine are set to hit 5 million bottles by 2015.There are almost 400 vineyards in the UK now, almost twice that of 10 years ago. “We have a unique terroir that makes English sparkling wine special. It’s more expensive to produce than Champagne, the cost of land is higher and yields are lower.” said Ridgeview winemaker Charlie Holland. “It’s a fallacy to say you can’t ripen grapes in…
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The first English sparkling wine made by a French champagne maker is about to go on sale in England, signaling clearly that British “fizz” is starting to come of age. According to a report published in The Guardian newspaper, labeled as Meonhill, the British bubbles will be available early this year. It has been made from grapes grown from French rootstocks planted in Hampshire. The planned release of the first 5,000 bottles by Didier Pierson-Whitaker,…
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Waitrose Take the Gutsy Move to Stock Indian Wine… Indian wine is breaking into the UK market, with Waitrose becoming the first UK supermarket to stock wines from the sub-continent. Waitrose is featuring Ritu Viognier and Zampa Syrah as part of the Waitrose World of Wine Showcase. Waitrose describes Ritu Viognier as a ‘crisp, aromatic white wine with floral and peach aromas.’ Both wines are produced in the dry, tropical climate of the…
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As you some of you may or may not know, I recently spent 10 days back home in good old England. The reason for my visit? Well, it was really more of an obligation than it was a vacation. It’d been a couple of years since I’d been back, and in that time my younger sister had given birth to a bouncing baby girl. How time flies! We were just playing hide-and-seek last Wednesday…or that’s…
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Only because I took so many photos do I think it necessary to post a journal of my recent trip back to the Mother Land. It will however give you a nice little insight into my former-life in England. Photos are in no particular order. The food hasn’t changed since I was there last! Haworth and Worth Valley Railway, and not Disney Land as I’m sure you’re thinking! Haworth is about a 30…
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English sparkling wine should be called Champagne, says Camilla English sparkling wine should be called Champagne, according to the Duchess of Cornwall. The quality of English fizz is so good the drink "is champagne" the Duchess declared, echoing what many in the English wine trade believe, but showing scant regard for complex and strict European food labeling laws. The Duchess’s comments came as she and the Prince of Wales toured the Denbies Wine Estate…
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Warning: This wine may contain fish bladders Wine lovers could be in for a bizarre shopping experience when a controversial federal law comes into effect in summer 2012. Get ready for label warnings declaring that your favorite beverage contains fish, eggs or milk. As part of new Health Canada food and beverage regulations designed to protect allergy sufferers and people with severe food intolerances, alcohol producers will be required to list an array…
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