10 minute read
UK harvest 2021
WINEMAKING UK harvest 2021
MarkCrumpton
This year’s harvest is set to be like no other with a mixed weather season and social distancing measures in the winery and vineyard causing potential delays and dramatic process changes.
The ability to process fruit at speed and in a cost eff ective way is always a consideration and one that might be more important now.
The Laff ort range of fast acting enzymes and high quality yeasts and nutrients can help speed up the process and reduce time while maximising the yield. Laff ort have launched some great new products for this year’s harvest to improve fl avours, improve processes and reduce pesticides in your wines.
ZYMAFLORE® XORIGIN
Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast selected for well-balanced and complex wines, respecting the typical yeast selected for well-balanced and complex wines, respecting the typical character of grape varieties and terroirs. character of grape varieties and terroirs.
ZYMAFLORE® XORIGIN adds smoothness and aromatic fi nesse. Its low production of SO2 makes it ZYMAFLORE particularly suitable for making wines where the main objective is to control sulphite levels. Its low particularly suitable for making wines where the main objective is to control sulphite levels. Its low production of volatile acidity and its POF (-) character allow for production of wines of great aromatic purity. production of volatile acidity and its POF (-) character allow for production of wines of great aromatic purity. The expertise of our teams around the world allows us to off er a new 100% vegetable protein solution POWERLEES
ZYMAFLORE® KHIOMP
Non-saccharomyces yeast of the species Metschnikowia pulcherrima for BIOProtection of white and rosé musts as well as grapes during prefermentation phases at low temperatures.
ZYMAFLORE® KHIOMP is the result of a mass selection from among grape and must fl ora during cold stabulation. This strain is characterised by its ability to maintain its population for several days at a very low temperature. Due to its very low fermentation capacity, ZYMAFLORE® KHIOMP allows for BIOProtection of the harvest or must from the predominance of potentially undesirable indigenous microorganisms.
VEGEMUST®
Formulation based on 100% vegetable proteins, non-allergenic and suitable for Organic winemaking.
The expertise of our teams around the world allows us to off er a new 100% vegetable protein solution dedicated to fi ning musts. Combining a high fl occulation speed with a wide spectrum of action for the dedicated to fi ning musts. Combining a high fl occulation speed with a wide spectrum of action for the elimination of phenolic compounds, VEGEMUST® promotes rapid cold settling, with good compaction of solids. elimination of phenolic compounds, VEGEMUST The presence of patatins in the formulation helps to reduce the risks of wine oxidation at an early stage. The presence of patatins in the formulation helps to reduce the risks of wine oxidation at an early stage.
POWERLEES® LIFE
Formulation based on 100% yeast derivatives, suitable for Organic winemaking.
POWERLEES® LIFE is particularly rich in reducing compounds including reduced glutathione. R&D work on the study of alternatives to sulphites during ageing allowed us to select these inactivated yeasts for their ability to slow down oxygen consumption in wines. Used once or several times throughout ageing, POWERLEES® LIFE protects wines from premature oxidation, refreshes already oxidised wines and increases ageing potential. Very high protection potential, particularly in the context of producing wines without added sulphites.
QUERTANIN® Q2
Stave-grade ellagitannins extracted from the heartwood of American oak for the ageing of white, red and rosé wines. and rosé wines.
Developed using an innovative extraction process, QUERTANIN® Q2 has all the qualities of American oak. Developed using an innovative extraction process, QUERTANIN QUERTANIN® Q2 acts on the tannic structure and contributes to the balance of wines by regulating redox QUERTANIN phenomena and by recreating a medium rich in ellagitannins identical to that provided by a new barrel. phenomena and by recreating a medium rich in ellagitannins identical to that provided by a new barrel.
NOBILE® DARK ALMOND
Made exclusively from selected French oak, NOBILE® DARK ALMOND chips result from a new toasting process.
Thanks to its complex oak compounds, NOBILE® DARK ALMOND contributes to the impression of sweetness while respecting the fruit character in wine. NOBILE® DARK ALMOND helps to bring out grilled aromas (almond, coff ee) and subtle notes of dark chocolate. INNOVATION NOBILE®
NOBISPARK
INNOVATION NOBILE®
The search for the fi nest balance between natural oak compounds and sparkling wines during alcoholic fermentation has led us to develop NOBISPARK. This oenological bidule allows the second fermentation to be carried out under oak, T ypical for more complex and more elegant Traditional Method wines.
Typical
Typical Typical Through its funding of R&D work on the typical character of Chardonnay wines, LAFFORT® has
demonstrated that the vinifi cation of musts from this grape variety with ZYMAFLORE® CX9 in the presence of NOBILE® STAVE 18-DIVINE brings out a greater concentration of pyrroles in the wine. Pyrroles are precursors of thiopyrroles, compounds that contribute to the typical character of Chardonnay wines with notes of fresh hazelnut and almond.
The combined use of NOBILE® STAVE 18-DIVINE and ZYMAFLORE® CX9 from the alcoholic fermentation phase allows for the production of distinctive and elegant Chardonnays. This phenomenon is more intense when they are retained during the malolactic fermentation (LACTOENOES® B7 DIRECT).
Typical Typical
ZYMAFLORE® CX9 & NOBILE® STAVE 18 DIVINE
Representing you
Working in partnership with Vineyard magazine for a developing UK wine industry.
WineGB is the national trade body representing the vine growers and winemakers of Great Britain from the largest producers to small hobbyists.
Our members work together with the organisation to develop strategy, expertise and marketing opportunities for long-term, sustainable success. If you are interested in wine production in the UK find out more about WineGB and join us. Visit our website www.winegb.co.uk
Members’ wines showcased to on-trade in exclusive masterclass
The first instalment of our new series of tasting masterclasses, designed to create stronger links between our members and the on-trade community, was held on Monday 12 July at Blackbook Winery in London.
An exclusive benefit for WineGB members only, this first masterclass session focused on the WineGB Awards’ trophy winning wines, which were presented by our CEO and Master of Wine Simon Thorpe, alongside winemakers and representatives from Wiston, Greyfriars, Digby, Gusbourne and Bluebell.
Top sommeliers from around the country were given the chance to taste and learn about the top-performing wines and wine styles at this year's WineGB Awards with the line-up which included:
Best Classic Cuvée NV/MV
Ashling Park Estate, Ashling Park Cuvée NV
Best Prestige Cuvée
Chapel Down, Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée 2015
Best Sparkling Rosé
Digby Fine English, 2014 Vintage Rosé Brut
Best Classic Cuvée Vintage
Greyfriars Vineyard, Cuvée Royale 2015
Best Blanc de Noirs
Harrow & Hope, Blanc de Noirs 2015
Best Sparkling Blend
Stonyfield Wine, Sparkling White 2017
Best Blanc de Blancs
Wiston Estate Winery, Blanc de Blancs 2015
Best Still Chardonnay
Gusbourne, Guinevere Chardonnay 2019
Best Still Bacchus
Chapel Down, Kit’s Coty Bacchus 2019
Best Still Rosé
Bluebell Vineyard Estates, Ashdown Rosé 2018
To accommodate everyone safely the day was split into two sessions, which also included a Q&A, with Sergio Verillo, owner of Blackbook, who also presented a selection of the urban winery’s award-winning wines.
The UK’s first fully accredited sustainable wines produced under the WineGB Sustainable Wines of Great Britain scheme have now been released.
These are the first wines produced by SWGB members to be permitted to include the certification mark on their labels.
The 10 wines, which have all been produced in a SWGB-accredited winery with grapes grown in an SWGB-accredited vineyard, include: ◆ Yotes Court On the Nod Bacchus 2020 ◆ Yotes Court Best Turned Out Pinot Meunier Rosé 2020 ◆ Henners Gardner Street Rosé 2020 ◆ Three Choirs’ canned wine range: Three Choirs Sparkling, Three Choirs White, Three Choirs Rosé,
Three Choirs Red ◆ Gusbourne Guinevere Chardonnay 2019 ◆ Gusbourne Pinot Noir 2019 ◆ Gusbourne Pinot Noir Rosé 2020
Five of these wines were submitted into this year’s WineGB Awards. All received either a gold or silver medal, with Gusbourne’s gold award-winning Guinevere Chardonnay 2019 also taking the trophy for the Best Still Chardonnay.
The scheme, which launched in February 2020 and is exclusively open to WineGB members, now has 61 members with 22 accredited vineyards and eight accredited wineries. Newly accredited members include Hundred Hills vineyard and winery, Pinglestone Estate vineyard, Chapel Down winery and Ridgeview vineyard.
To gain accreditation, the members of WineGB’s environmental sustainability scheme must undergo an annual self-evaluation to monitor progress against guidelines. Upon joining, then every three years, each self-evaluation score is checked and verified by independent auditors, Ricardo PLC.
In September, the SWGB’s Data Repository is scheduled to be launched. This online information repository will allow members to store and present information for audit privately and securely. It will also allow the SWGB scheme to set benchmarks to help members evaluate their performance from a sustainability perspective.
iYou can find out more about Sustainable Wines of Great Britain on the WineGB website. www.WineGB.co.uk
New features added to tasting
One of the most anticipated events organised by WineGB for its members is the annual London Trade and Press tasting.
While last year’s event was sadly unable to go ahead, sights are now set on making the 2021 event, which will take place on Tuesday 7 September at the RHS Lindley Hall, London SW1, better than ever.
One of the first main trade tastings to take place this year, a great deal of interest has already come in from producers looking to exhibit, as well as trade and press keen to get back out after Covid-19.
In the last two years, so much variety and range has been released, and everyone is eager to discover more, taste the new releases and of course meet with the producers themselves.
Due to the pandemic, there will of course be a number of appropriate safety measures in place, including the regulation of visitor numbers, the safe use of spittoons and reduced handling of tasting bottles.
The need to layout the tasting in a slightly different way has offered the opportunity to introduce a number of new features, such as a special focal point on UK wine tourism which it is hoped will attract a number of high-profile travel journalists.
This year we will also be exhibiting the WineGB Awards’ trophy winning wines on a free pour table together with the regional champions in the awards. We will also be using the event to announce the winners of the Winery of the Year category as well as the crowning of Supreme Champion.
Open for WineGB members only, there are numerous exhibitor opportunities for producers. If you would like more information on becoming a WineGB member or exhibiting at the trade and press tasting, please phone the WineGB office, details below.
