English sparkling wine is made in the same way as Champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle. Prosecco, however, is made using the Charmat method, where the second fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Because Prosecco is quicker to make it has a cheaper price point compared to English sparkling wine which takes longer…

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Sparkling wines from Sussex have been granted protected regional status by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). It means that producers in the county must meet stringent quality guidelines in order to display the name of the county on their wines. In 2015, 37 new wine producers and vineyards opened in England, while vineyard…

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Exton Park Vineyard, the innovative English sparkling wine producer based on the prized chalk slopes of Hampshire’s South Downs, has once again scored a ‘first’ – as the only English producer to win awards in one of the most prestigious Far East competitions. Announced last week at the glittering Awards Dinner for the Cathay Pacific…

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Litmus Wines have launched a new product combining gin and English sparkling wine. Ginking is described as a light and refreshing, low-alcohol (8.5%) pre-mixed sparkling beverage, best served in a flute with a twist of orange peel. Ginking is the concept of founder John Worontschak. Based at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Surrey, the company is involved with wine projects…

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An army of nearly 100 local wine enthusiasts spent three days recently grape picking at Albury Vineyard and their verdict – the fruit are the best they have seen since the vines were planted in 2009. Vineyard owner Nick Wenman believes firmly in involving the local community with the annual harvest. The pickers include members…

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This week sees the harvest in full swing at Furleigh Estate in Dorset with the grape pickers picking in pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Furleigh Estate is raising money for Dorset charity Weldmar Hospicecare Trust throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month (1st – 30th October). Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a worldwide annual campaign involving…

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Camel Valley’s wines have recently been spotted in a number of the world’s most exclusive restaurants and hotels from London to Dubai. The Ritz The Ritz is known throughout the world for its fine taste and now Camel Valley’s Pinot Noir Rosé appears on the wine list. Becoming a part of this iconic 110 year…

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Harvest at Jenkyn Place Vineyard in Hampshire is underway, the Pinots have all been picked with the Chardonnay grapes still to come. Winemaker at Jenkyn Place, Dermot Sugrue says: “The grapes this year are very, very good. We have luckily had no mildew damage and only a few vines have suffered from frost damage and…

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