Broadminded with Chiefwino, Andrew Stover
Sommelier from OYA Restaurant, www.oyadc.com, SEI Restaurant, www.seirestaurant.com and the NEW SAX Restaurant & Lounge, www.saxwdc.com. Founder of Vino50 Selections, www.vino50.com and Chiefwino wine blog, www.chiefwino.com
A Toast to the Royal WeddingPol Roger will be the official Champagne at the Royal Wedding next week, Decanter.com can confirm.
Amid feverish speculation – especially in the American press – around which Champagne will be served, Decanter.com has it on the highest authority that Pol Roger NV will be served.
Which wines will be served during the wedding breakfast at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony in Westminster Abbey is still a matter of debate: there are unconfirmed reports that an English wine will be on the table.
A spokesman for Pol Roger told Decanter.com a non-vintage had specifically been requested by the Palace.
It will be sipped before the sit-down meal prepared by Anton Mosimann and hosted by Prince Charles.
Pol Roger has a long and honourable association with the British aristocracy. It was the favourite Champagne of Sir Winston Churchill, and in 1984 Pol Roger created the Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill in his honour.
Traditionally, however, Pol Roger has not been drunk at royal weddings. Queen Victoria issued a royal warrant to Bollinger in 1884, and Prince Charles chose it both for his stag party and for his marriage to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
BUT WHERE is the ENGLISH BUBBLY?There are nearly 400 commercial vineyards in England and Wales covering approximately 2000 acres of land in total. Nearly all are in the southern half of England and Wales. Most English and Welsh vineyards are small (less than 5 acres), many very small (less than 1 acre). Only a small number exceed 25 acres and just a handful 50 acres. The largest (Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Surrey) has around 200acres of vines under cultivation.
Bubbly from the UK can be just as good as Champagne as the climate and soil profile in much of Southeast England is similar to that found in Champagne. Often the best sparkling wines are produced in marginal climates—i.e. those that are cool climate and do not fully ripen the grapes resulting in fresh acidity in the resulting sparkling wine.
A Tasting of English Wines from Chiefwino’s jaunts across the pond…
Chapel Down Pinot Reserve Brut 2004, Tenterden, Kent, UKhttp://www.englishwinesgroup.com/our-wines.aspxChapel Down Pinot Reserve has been made by the strict selection of Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc grapes pressed and vinified in the traditional Champagne method. Clean classical Pinot nose with a complex, spicy palate. Certainly English - certainly World Class.
Lamberhurst Estate Bacchus 2008, Tenterden, Kent, UKhttp://www.marksandspencer.com/English-Bacchus-2009-Case-6/dp/B002OCKZHK?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=123071031&sr=1-1&qid=1304051871&pf_rd_r=0TFS0Q2BQ6FZS2MKV2GC&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=gift-finder-action.html&pf_rd_p=215485807&pf_rd_s=center-3
Produced by Chapel Down exclusively for Marks and Spencer stores, this Bacchus is a delicious combination of zestiness typical of English wine and soft richness, this is a fine example of modern English white wine, brimming with crunchy apple flavours and herbal complexity.
From Wikipedia: Bacchus is a white wine grape that was created by viticulturalist Peter Morio at the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding in the Palatinate in 1933. He crossed a Silvaner x Riesling cross with Müller-Thurgau. Bacchus received varietal protection and was released for general cultivation in 1972. Its name is taken from Roman name of the Greek wine god Dionysus.
Bookers Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006, West Sussex, UKhttps://www.bolneywineestate.co.uk/
A wonderful example of a cool climate Pinot. A well balanced wine with good medium body and bursting with fruit. Red cherry, bacon and hints of cedar wood which give a lovely complexity on the bouquet and palate. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes.
