Did you know National Rosé Day is celebrated on June 9th – (one for the diary…) and we recently celebrated English Wine Week?  No? Well it slightly passed us by too, so what better way to celebrate such important days in the UK vinous calendar than sharing with you the very best of English and Welsh wines, perfect for those sunny Summer evenings! Don’t say we don’t spoil you!

Ben Llewelyn, Managing Director of Carte Blanche Wines and judge for Decanter Magazine gives his thoughts on this growing industry and guides us though his top wine choices from around the UK.

“Those of you with eyes only for Prosecco may have failed to notice the incredible groundswell in the English and Welsh wine movement.  What was once a hobby for own-garden fruit growers is now a multi-million pound, UK wide industry with eyes set on the international market. This is an industry that, whilst still in its infancy, is growing rapidly where the future really does look very bright indeed.

Claims of the UK wine scene taking on their French counterparts are abound and in some cases we seem to be winning – our Pinot Noir can rival the more delicate wines of Burgundy, our whites can evoke the very best features of an English garden and orchard, and the sparkling wines, well these are already classed as some of the finest in the world.”

Ben’s top picks:

2016 Oxney Rosé, Sussex (£15 widely available)

 

Exclusive offer!

Carte Blanche are offering our School Notices Members the opportunity to try a mixed case of six wines from the incredible vineyards of Ancre Hill in the hills above the Welsh market town of Monmouth.  Despite its remote location and unlikely origin, these wines feature in some the UK’s most exclusive restaurants and hotels including Le Manoir, Noble Rot and The Ledbury.

The offer includes a bottle of each of the following wines:

NV Blanc de Noirs – The latest release with only 3,200 bottles produced from Pinot Noir harvested from the 2013 and 14 vintages.  The wines are fermented in 600 litre barrels and aged in concrete eggs prior to secondary ferment in bottle, where they age for 3 years.  Released this year on strict allocation only.

2012 Rosé Sparkling – The gentle pressing of this vintages Pinor Noir harvest is fermented in concrete eggs and oak and then left in bottle for 4 years prior to disgorgement.  A fine example of the intense summer fruit this variety can express.  Only 2,400 bottles produced.

2014 Chardonnay – A super racy, chabliesque style of chardonnay aged in 600 litre French oak for 18 months. Little sulphur is added to the wine and as it opens and develops, the intricacies of the wine continue to reveal themselves.

2015 Rosé – With only 600 bottles produced, this is really a rare beast and it is made without any addition of sulphur. It is bright complex with a delicacy that evokes all the scents of an English Summer garden.

2014 Pinor Noir – A red wine produced using a whole bunch ferments and ages in French barrique and demi muid barrels.  It is light footed and evolved with a fresh mineral palate.

NV Pet Nat Triomphe – A super fun, semi sparkling red wine made from a variety which has red juice, made like a white wine. But is red. Confused? Well of course, but this is a delicious savoury summer wine for drinking with BBQs and plates of charcuterie.

£135 for the 6 bottles including delivery and vat (typical RRP would be £156 inc vat)*.  Please send your order to Paul at orders@carteblanchewines.com or call 01256 772233 quoting School Notices. (please note they can only accept BACS or payment by cheque)

 

 

*as quantities of these wines are in short supply Carte Blanche reserve the right to replace any wine with a similar wine, but will inform you beforehand in this event.