This spring sees Harvey Nichols introduce four new producers and 15 new English wines to its Wine Shop shelves to meet customer demand, just in time for English Wine Week. The wines from Gusbourne, Hattingley Valley, Litmus and Wiston will sit alongside the existing range, and includes still wines for the first time.
Harvey Nichols has seen sales in the category grow since English Sparkling Wine was first introduced over 10 years ago.
Rob Graves, head of wine and food buying at Harvey Nichols, said: “Sales have been steadily increasing since 2011, but in 2016 we saw a peak in interest. Our customers are hugely supportive of this category and they are keen to taste new expressions along with wines from lesser-known producers.”
OXO Tower Restaurant will also be increasing its English wine range, adding bottles from Gusbourne, Hattingley Valley, Litmus and Wiston to their extensive wine menu.
New additions to the Harvey Nichols Wine Shop include:
Gusbourne
The original Gusbourne Estate in Appledore dates back to 1410, but the first vines were not planted until 2004. In 2010, the debut vintages of Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2006 and Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2006 were released to critical acclaim. Harvey Nichols will be adding the Guinevere 2014, Pinot Noir 2014, the Brut Reserve 2013, Blanc de Blancs 2012 and the Rosé 2013 to the Wine Shop.
Guinevere 2014
Made from 100% Chardonnay, this wine is aged for nine months in French oak and exhibits aromas of creamy oak, butter and citrus hints on the nose. On the palate there are greengage and lemon notes, with buttery notes on the finish. RRP £25 per bottle.
Pinot Noir 2014
This award-winning wine shows the classic characteristics of a cool climate Pinot Noir, with bright red fruits, such as wild strawberries and raspberries, on the nose. On the palate, the wine is elegant and delicate, with juicy red cherry and bramble fruit flavours, and a touch of savoury spice and soft, supple tannins. RRP £25 per bottle.
Blanc de Blancs 2012
This multi-award-winning Blanc de Blancs is pale golden in colour with fine, persistent beads of bubbles. The nose exhibits a pure Chardonnay character, with citrus juice and zest, green apple and oyster shell mineral notes. The palate is focused and precise, with elegant structure, bright acidity and great complexity. The fruit notes on the nose are met with more ripe citrus and melon character, with hints of buttered toast and pastry, leading to a long, zesty finish. RRP £46.50 per bottle.
Hattingley Valley
The newly built winery in East Hampshire uses solar power and sophisticated waste water disposal facilities, making it one of the most eco-friendly wine estates in the UK. They pride themselves on producing some of the most innovative wines available on the market and Harvey Nichols will be listing the Classic Cuvée 2013, Rosé 2013 and Blanc de Blancs 2010.
Classic Cuvée 2013
A delicate, pale gold in colour, the wine has fine bubbles and a well-developed nose which shows a hint of toasty brioche and some subtle oak character. Crisp acidity on the palate is elegantly balanced with medium body and a touch of sweetness. RRP £35 per bottle.
Rosé 2013
The Classic Cuvée 2013 is a blend of 59% Pinot Noir, 36% Pinot Meunier and 4% Pinot Noir Precoce. This beautifully crafted rosé bursts with red fruit and rhubarb notes. The palate is fresh and lively, with a creamy mousse supported by fine toasty notes. It will pair perfectly with smoked salmon, tuna tartare and a beetroot and goat cheese salad. RRP £40 per bottle.
Litmus
Established in 2008, Litmus Wines is based at Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey and is focused on producing still English wines. Their first wine, the Element 20, was launched to move away from traditional, fruity, one-dimensional English wine styles, with the aim of showcasing the very best of cool climate English still wines promoting balance, complexity and length of flavour.
Element 20 2013
This is an ecletic blend of hand harvested Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Bacchus grapes. Displaying fresh and lifted aromas of citrus, vanilla, cut-grass and nutmeg, the palate is medium bodied and beautifully balanced with a wonderful depth of flavour and a silky texture. An incredibly impressive release that shows just how good English still wine can be, Element 20 is best enjoyed with light shellfish dishes or poultry. RRP £22.50 per bottle.
Pinot 2015
Pale straw in colour, this wine has notes of peach, honeysuckle and smoky characters on the nose. It’s a complex wine with a fullness and roundness rarely found in English wines. The palate is structured, full bodied and rich, with a steely backbone of acidity. It’s best enjoyed with hearty full flavoured dishes and cheeses. RRP £28.50 per bottle.
Pinot Noir 2014
Cherry red with a vibrant translucency, this wine displays raspberry and clove characters on the nose. The palate is elegant and rich, with an earthy spiciness and a long finish. RRP £33.50.
Orange Bacchus 2015
Fresh notes of citrus and vanilla complement a mineral palate with a fine backbone of acidity, silky texture and great length. The wine will continue to improve until the end of the decade gaining further complexity as it matures. RRP £17.50 per bottle.
Wiston
The Wiston Estate has been owned and managed by the Goring family since 1743 and is presided over today by husband and wife Harry and Pip Goring. Wiston’s vineyard is run according to a strict philosophy of sustainability and the team’s pioneering efforts include the installation of solar panels at the winery as a source of renewable energy.
Wiston Brut NV
The Brut NV is a classic blend of 34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 33% Pinot Meunier. The wine represents perfectly the style of the house, refreshing and elegant. The nose reminds of English orchard blooms, Williams pears and green apples. On the palate it expresses a fine, complex finish that combines purity of fruit, lean minerality and mature characters from the long lees-ageing. A brilliant wine to pair with ceviche, sashimi and goat cheese. RRP £29.95 per bottle.
Blanc de Blancs 2010
The Blanc de Blancs 2010 is a seriously age worthy wine that manages to perfectly marry the elegant and refreshing style of the house with complex notes due to the extensive ageing on the lees. The nose bursts with white flowers, wet stones and biscuit aromas. The palate is beautifully textured, with a creamy, precise mousse and a lively, persistent finish. This Blanc de Blancs will pair perfectly with noble seafood, lobster termidor or truffle risotto. RRP £45 per bottle.
