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WINE CLUB
Celebratinga SPARKLING SUMMER
OUR DIARY IS BEGINNING TO OVERFLOW WITH EXCITING EVENTS THIS SUMMER, OPENING WITH THE BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF ALL, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE
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With long days of sunshine ahead of us and a regal party or two, there are more reasons than ever to pop some bottle-shaped joie de vivre this summer. And what better way to salute a season of celebrations across the UK than with a glass of our own homegrown sparkling wine? Here we’ve selected a few notable, (and in our eyes noble), locally-produced wines that are sure to make your summer sparkle.
It’s a wonderful coincidence that the birth of modern English wines began in the same year HM The Queen ascended to the throne. It was in 1952 when the first vines were planted at Hambledon in Hampshire, now the oldest commercial vineyard in England and home to award-winning wines. Worldrenowned Nyetimber has been a favourite fizz at royal weddings over the years, and was notably served during The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, whilst Camel Valley, based in Cornwall is a familiar name on wine lists at state banquets, and is the first English wine producer to be granted an illustrious Royal Warrant. Wiston Estate meanwhile was awarded ‘supreme champion’ by WineGB last year for its Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine, an accolade they hold as close to their hearts as when a nebuchadnezzar (that’s an extremely large bottle) of their sparkling wine was used by The Queen to christen the Royal Yacht Britannia.
In celebration of all the memorable occasions taking place with friends and family this summer, we salute our local wine makers, creating wines from more than 800 vineyards across England and Wales today, as we also raise a toast to The Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.
HAMPSHIRE CORNWALL
Hambledon Vineyard Première Cuvée £55 A Decanter World Wine Awards Gold Medal Winner, lemon, orange blossom and red apple on the nose unfolds into brioche notes complemented by a creamy, high acid mouthfeel. hambledon vineyard.co.uk
Camel Valley Cornwall Brut £32.95 Fresh, fruity and brimming with English hedgerow aromas, the ultrafine bubbles of this super-stylish, dry sparkling evolve into a lively fruit salad on the palate, finishing with a fresh touch of honey. camelvalley.com
WEST SUSSEX
Nyetimber Tillington Single Vineyard 2014 £100 Born out of the warm 2014 harvest, this elegant vintage is from a vineyard site prized for its Pinot Noir. Fine bubbles of wild strawberry open to a generous palate of ripe red apple, apricot and citrus notes. nyetimber.com
WEST SUSSEX
Wiston Estate Blanc de Blancs 2015 £85 Rich and complex, this supreme champion sparkling combines notes of butterscotch, honeydew melon, honeysuckle and brioche leading to tangerines and caramelised apple on the palate. wistonestate. com
Wildflower wine club Summertime ina glass
WITH SUMMER PENCILLING A WELCOME SPARKLE IN OUR DIARIES, IT’S ALL ABOUT BEING OUTDOORS AND ENJOYING THE BOUNTY ON OUR DOORSTEP. WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A TASTER OF SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE WINE EXPERIENCES TO
SIP, SAVOUR AND VISIT THIS SUMMER. CHECK OUT THE WINE SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ON EACH
SIP…
Kent
Folc English Rosé £15.99 Pure joy in a glass, and an aromatic treat for this year’s picnic basket. Orange-pink on the eye, honeysuckle and jasmine on the nose. A sip rolls into strawberries, grapefruit and elderflower notes. Dry, crisp and fresh, this is a complex still rosé yet light as a summer breeze at 11% ABV. drinkfolc.com
Hampshire The Grange PINK NV £36 An inspirational sparkling, the nose bubbles with white peach, redcurrants and strawberries, its gentle mousse a swish of red fruits with hints of brioche. Summer will launch the next Pink NV, largely focused on the warm 2018 vintage - a ripe, rich cracker for summer celebrations. thegrangewine.co.uk
SAVOUR…
The Oarsman, Marlow The Georgian market town of Marlow is as historic as it is gastronomic. One of its more recent restaurant openings, The Oarsman is a stylish pub crossed with a French bistro. Discover wines from boutique producers alongside an equally adventurous menu. A culinary journey from Scotland to England and beyond, the flavour combinations are as surprising as they are comforting, complemented by unique wines, curated for a curious palate. theoarsman.co.uk
STAY…
Wine weekend in Hampshire Known for Downton Abbey, Jane Austen and the South Downs, Hampshire is also home to over 30 vineyards. There’s nothing quite as enticing as discovering vines and wines over a sunshine-filled weekend. This summer we’re visiting The Grange to taste its award-winning sparkling; Raimes to relax in its outdoor tasting courtyard; and Hattingley to celebrate one of the UK’s most successful wine producers. vineyardsofhampshire.co.uk
AT THE WILDFLOWER WINE CLUB
WE ARE CELEBRATING ALL THINGS RED, WHITE AND BUBBLY!
CURATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR READERS, THE WILDFLOWER WINE CLUB IS A COMMUNITY OF WINE ENTHUSIASTS AND EXPLORERS. A PLACE TO BE INSPIRED BY WINES AND THE STORIES THAT MAKE THEM SO DELICIOUSLY INTRIGUING. WILDFLOWERMAGAZINE.CO.UK/WINE-CLUB
