Three English wines were served to the Royal party on board the Royal Barge, Spirit of Chartwell, as it travelled down the Thames leading the historic flotilla to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations yesterday.
An award-winning sparkling, still white and still rosé wines from three producers will be served, which include a well-established producer, an emerging star and new vineyard with its first production:
Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2007: One of England’s leading names in sparkling wine, a multiple award-winning producer. Twenty years on, Nyetimber continues to pioneer in terms of vision, standards and commitment to quality. The wine is produced from the three classic Champagne varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and is their latest vintage, released just in time for the Jubilee.
Stopham Pinot Blanc 2010: A dry wine from this 16 acre vineyard in West Sussex, produced from the Pinot Blanc grape – better-known to be grown in Alsace, but making a mark in England. Stopham has been widely praised in the wine press since its first wines were first released just over a year ago. The wines are produced by the owner and winemaker, Simon Woodhead, in a Grade II listed Victorian barn next to the vineyard. Simon practices sustainable farming in the vineyard.
Albury Vineyard Silent Pool Rosé 2011: The first bottles of this their very first wine were aboard the Royal barge. This Surrey vineyard is one of the few organic vineyards in England. The wine is produced from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, planted in 2009 by owner Nick Wenman. The wine is produced at a new boutique winery operation, Vivid Wines, by winemaker Ulrich Hoffmann.
The wines were selected by the caterers to the Royal Barge with the help of Taurus Wines, an independent family run wine merchant based near Guildford and located within 20 minutes of all three producers.
“We were delighted to be involved in selecting these fantastic English wines to serve to Her Majesty and the Royal Family aboard the Royal Barge,” said Rupert Pritchett, proprietor of Taurus Wines. “This is already a special year for us as we celebrate 10 years of our shop, which adds the occasion. These wines are world beaters, and it couldn’t be more fitting to have some fine English wines on this very patriotic occasion.”
