“The one great thing cool climate countries can do is make fantastic sparkling wine” – Oz Clarke
Our Wyfold Brut 2010 has been named “player of the match” at a blind tasting faceoff between England and New Zealand. Oz Clarke and Jane Skilton captained their respective teams at the New Zealand leg of the event, as twelve wines from each country went head-to-head. It was here that our Wyfold English Sparkling was named as the standout wine of the contest. You can watch the moment that we found out below!
The two teams drew 6-6 at the New Zealand innings, with England coming out on top at the later London event. Hosted by New Zealand Winegrowers, Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, the Battle was designed to coincide with the Cricket World Cup – and whilst England may not be having a great time against New Zealand on that front, our sparkling has given them a run for their money.
Barbara Laithwaite and Cherry Thompson created the Wyfold Vineyard in 2003, when over 4,000 vines were planted over a hectare of the Chiltern Hills. Tony Laithwaite has described the 2010 Brut as “easily the best ever vintage in this particular vineyard”, and we are thrilled with the number of accolades it has received, including the 2014 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships and now, of course, the Battle of the Bubbles Player of the Match!
Crafted from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it’s described by Decanter as boasting “savoury, quite serious fruit and vibrant acidity that linger”. Its fine bubbles and toasty apricot length make it a real treat, and something that all of us here at Laithwaite’s are tremendously proud of.
If you’d like to read more about Wyfold Vineyard, please click here.
