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WSET - The rise of English sparkling wine

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WSET - The rise of English sparkling wine

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Long gone are the days where you could call English sparkling wine the underdog - l ast March, Wine Lister released a study where English fizz ranked second, just behind Champagne, in average critics ' scores , highlighting its growing recognition for quality.

In the space of thirty years, English wine went from being very anecdotal to being renowned across the world. But how did this transformation happen, and what are the secrets behind English sparkling wine?

Biscuit in a bottle

Sparkling wine represents two thirds of the total wine production in the UK, with the vast majority using the traditional method, ie. the method used to make Champagne and Cava. This process involves a second fermentation, responsible for the bubbles in sparkling wine, happening in the bottle rather than in the tank. As a result, the wine develops autolytic aromas, such as pastry, biscuit, bread dough or brioche, adding another layer of complexity to the citrus and green fruit aromas.

The chalk factor

The South of England, home to a majority of sparkling wine producers, shares the same chalky soil as Champagne. This type of soil is ideal to reflect the sunlight and drain water - which is essential for grapes to fully ripen in England's often cool and damp climate.

While global warming brings many challenges to viticulture, it's made southern England increasingly suitable for growing grapes (even if the rise of extreme weather events induced by global warming can impact the harvest significantly). The climate today mirrors the one in Champagne fifty years ago. The warmer weather helps grapes ripen better, but it's still cool enough for them to retain a high acidity.

Learning from the best

English sparkling wine benefits from learning from centuries of knowledge from Champagne, while embracing modern winemaking equipment and techniques, which has inevitably fast-tracked the rise of production.

English wine also immediately positioned itself as a premium and qualitative sparkling wine. While this meant overcoming the initial skepticism (how do you convince consumers to pay a premium price for a country no one takes seriously wine production-wise?), the gamble has paid off. Today, English sparkling wines have established a reputation across the world, and it's not unusual to see it featured proudly on the wine lists of top restaurants.

Some visionary producers played a key role in helping English sparkling wine to earn global acclaim. Nyetimber was the first to plant the traditional champagne varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier) in West Sussex in 1988 - which makes sense if you want to make a premium sparkling wine, and share a similar soil and climate to the most highly regarded wine region in the world. Today, those three grapes represent about 70% of the grapes planted in the UK.

This pioneering aspect, coupled with good products, efficient marketing and tourism helped brands like Nyetimber or Gusbourne to establish themselves as reliable and premium.

How to choose a bottle of English sparkling wine?

With prices often at a premium (although an increasing number of supermarkets have now developed their own label to offer more affordable options) and a lot of specific terms often derived from French, it can be overwhelming to find yourself in front of the wine aisle to pick a bottle of English fizz. Here are our top tips to help you read between the lines of labels and pick the perfect bottle of sparkling:

Look for "traditional method" (or the French version, méthode traditionelle)

Most wines using this method (ie. having undergone a second fermentation in the bottle) will write it on the label. You can expect added complexity to the citrus and apple aromas with notes of pastry and sourdough.

Start with a brut non-vintage

These sparkling wines are blends of several years, and in a climate like the UK's, where some years can still be too cool or wet for grapes to ripen properly, blending is important to ensure consistency of the wine.

Step up your game with a vintage sparkling

If it was a particularly good year weather-wise (try 2014, 2018 or 2020), you may opt for a vintage fizz, which tend to show more complexity and typicity linked to the conditions of the year of the harvest. Vintage wines are usually aged longer than non-vintage, so not only will you get biscuity notes but also some nuttiness, honey and dried fruit flavours.

Rosé sparkling

This always a fabulous treat in my opinion - bringing vibrant red fruit and pastry flavours.

'Blanc de blancs'

This name refers to sparkling wines made only with white grape variety, which most of the time will be Chardonnay. Expect a leaner, zestier type of wine, ideal if you prefer a lighter, more citrus-driven fizz.

When to serve and how to store

Aromas in sparkling wine are delicate, so temperature matters. Serve it at 8-10°C to keep things fresh and lively. If you're enjoying a more complex vintage bottle, slightly warmer (10-12°C) can help enhance the complexity of its aromas.

Never chill it in the freezer. Sudden temperature changes can damage the wine. Instead, keep it stored horizontally in a cool, dark place until you decide to open it. Your fridge will also do the trick (and if you have a wine fridge, even better as you can control the temperature and store more bottles).

Most sparkling wines don't need to be aged more after they are released on the market - they're likely to have spent plenty of time ageing before going on sale. However, vintage sparkling could benefit from cellaring, and with time develop richer nutty and dried fruits flavours.

In terms of picking an event to open it, the decision is yours entirely - thinking we need an occasion to open a bottle of fizz is a myth. Yes, it will pair perfectly with any wedding, summer party or brunch, but also with a movie night, Sunday tea and pastries with your family, or the first summer days calling for that impromptu picnic in the park.

This blog post was prepared by Iris Fabre DipWSET, an Educator at WSET School London. Originally from France, she gained valuable hospitality experience in London before becoming a full-time wine educator and freelance writer.

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In the space of thirty years, English wine went from being very anecdotal to being renowned across the world. But how did this transformation happen, and what are the secrets behind English sparkling wine?

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In the space of thirty years, English wine went from being very anecdotal to being renowned across the world. But how did this transformation happen, and what are the secrets behind English sparkling wine?

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Giardini Luzzati: How A Cultural Space Ties A Fragmented City Together - March 2025

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Giardini Luzzati: A Communal Social Space In Genoa, Italy

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Giardini Luzzati is a communal, social space in the historic center of Genoa, a port city in Northern Italy.

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Pride and Cassoulet, the politics of beans in South West France  - November 2024

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The Wine Merchant - Six-minute Sessions: social media tips for retailers

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The Wine Merchant - Six-minute Sessions: social media tips for retailers

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Iris Fabre for The Wine Merchant - Six-minute sessions on social media

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Hey there!

My name is Iris (she/her), I am a freelance writer, wine educator and poet based in London.

I am a wine expert (certified DipWSET), food enjoyer with an insane amount of London restaurants & bars pinned on my Google Maps, and I've lived in many different countries, from Australia to Italy, because my curiosity of the world and culture is insatiable.

I am the co-founder of @wineminute, an educational Instagram account dedicated to make wine fun and approachable.

My aspiration in life is to become a cat mum and eat wafers while writing articles on my typewriter by my bow-window (what do you mean I'm romanticising the writer's life?!).

I've got a notebook (or four) full of stories waiting to be told so don't be shy and reach out to me! :)

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Looking for a Sub-£10 Bottle of Pinot Noir? Romania Takes Gold

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Romanian producer wins three Gold medals in Pinot Noir blind tasting competition, beating winemakers from 16 other countries spanning the globe

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Swiftonomics: It's a Love Story between Taylor Swift and wine

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Swiftonomics: It's a Love Story between Taylor Swift and wine

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By Iris Fabre

It's Taylor Swift's world and we're just living in it.

That seems like a dramatic statement, and yet, facts and data back it up: on top of being one of the Forbes listed billionaires (with a fortune estimated at $1.1 billion), a whole part of economics is dedicated to studying the American pop star's impact: Swiftonomics.

There's no denying it, between the seismic activity recorded at her Edinburgh shows last month and the tourism surge induced by her European leg of her sold out Eras Tour, the 34-year-old singer is shaking not only the music industry but our whole economy.

Could her influence extend to the wine industry? This is Liz Thach MW's conjecture in her recent Forbes article, after having analysed the latest wine trends.

A cruel summer for red wines

It is no secret that Taylor Swift enjoys a good glass of wine - she even mentions it 19 times in her music catalogue, as reported by David Morrow for Bottle Raiders.

Her friend and former support act Gracie Abrams recently shared in an Apple Music interview the creative process behind her new song "us.", that she wrote with Taylor Swift in one night after opening a bottle of wine.

Taylor Swift had previously revealed her favourite wines, in a 2019 episode of The Ellen Show, where she had to answer the host's "burning questions". When asked what she would bring to a party, Swift immediately replied "white wine", adding it would be "Sancerre, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc".

And guess what are the only two varieties to have shown sales progress in the last year? Bingo: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.

Coincidence? It might well be, but the fans of the star, called "Swifties", who love to find the Easter Eggs the singer leaves in her every move, outfit or video, would simply argue she's a mastermind. And she was actually asked, in the very same interview with Ellen DeGeneres, if she had left any Easter Eggs during their talk. To which she replied yes - I'll let you be the judge of that.

Swifties were quick to notice Taylor Swift revealed her favourite wines, and hundreds of TikTok show fans trying "Taylor's wine" - which is now the new unofficial name of Sancerre.

But there are other elements that can explain the rise of white wine sales (which grew from 41.6% in 2021 to 43.8% today in value) over red wine.

These include the increasing demand for less calories and lower alcohol levels as well as the diversification of cuisine in the U.S. with Asian and Latin foods for instance, which pairs well with white wines.

Entering a Sancerre and Pinot Grigio era

What draws Taylor Swift to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio? Although the singer does not say, I put my Swiftie and DipWSET hats on to provide answers...

It's interesting to note Swift mentions both Sauvignon Blanc and Sancerre, as the latter is a subregion of the Loire Valley where white wine is made solely from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. But Sancerre, with its steep hillsides and microclimate, produces a particular type of Sauvignon: crisp, intense with a high acidity. On the other hand, Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough in New Zealand will for instance tend to display more tropical notes while maintaining a high acidity.

If Pinot Grigio is usually less aromatic than Sauvignon Blanc, they both share a crisp character and some green aromas. Both are typically unoaked, which means Swift seems to enjoy refreshing and fruit-forward wines.
Plus, although these styles of wine can pair well with a variety of cuisines, they are easy drinking and can be consumed without any food, as an aperitif for instance - or during a nocturnal songwriting session with Gracie Abrams, maybe?

Taylor-made wine pairings

The Global Wine Masters, the series of competition organised by the drinks business, actually has competitions dedicated to both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. By focusing on a grape variety rather than a region, preconceived notions of the importance of location are pushed aside, allowing wines from across the globe to be judged by our panel of experts purely on style and price.

Below are the award-winning wines from the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2023 and the Global Pinot Grigio Masters 2024 that Taylor Swift would probably like too.

Welcome to the Global Wine Masters (Taylor's Version), paired with some of the pop star's best hits.
And if you are a Sauvignon Blanc producer, there's still some time to enter the 2024 edition of the dedicated competition! Sign up here before 26 August.
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylor's Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Gold medal at the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2023

Marlborough, New Zealand

Approx. retail price: £16

Compared to "textbook" Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, this wine shows an elegant restraint. It smells like a young love, with aromas of floral peach blossom, apple and pear, and a hint of lemon peel. If it had colours, it would be the Lover album palette for sure, with cloudy pastel shades of pink and blue.

Swift's song is written in a waltz tempo, which is refreshing in the world of pop - just like this wine, described as "very enjoyable" with a "refreshing yet not overpowering acidity". I still have the secret hope the wine's name refers to Taylor Swift and not the historic New Zealand road.

Barton & Guestier Sancerre 2022

Silver medal at the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2023

Loire Valley, France

Approx. retail price: £32

If you just change a few lyrics from Style's chorus, you obtain proper wine tasting notes: Sancerre "never goes out of style", it has "that classic thing that you like".

Judges enjoyed the traditional Sancerre expression of the Barton & Guestier, "dry and crisp" with a clean and mineral style. Just take it home.

Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Master medal at the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2023

Napa Valley, USA

Approx. retail price: £45

This Sauvignon Blanc is a sipping wine, you need to absorb its complexity and many layers like you absorb every lyric of Taylor Swift's longest song. Judges said of Clos du Val that "the skilled use of high-quality oak wraps around the luscious fruit, giving it body and weight. This wine is elegant, layered and long, with true finesse, and will improve for at least a further five years" - just like Swift in the All Too Well short film, as she successfully turns a heartbreak into a successful writing career.

Ménage à Trois Pinot Grigio 2021

Gold medal at the Global Pinot Grigio Masters 2024

California, USA

Approx. retail price: £9

This wine is a blend of three grape varieties, with a majority of Pinot Grigio. Taylor Swift sings "august sipped away like a bottle of wine" - of Ménage à Trois, she could have added, since she is effectively telling the story of a love triangle, with this song from the point of view of the "other woman". This fresh and fruity wine, light-bodied with a racy intensity, is perfect for easy sipping. Judges even said it would be "perfect on a summer's day with fish and chips while enjoying a view of the river".

Domaine de Reuilly Les Fossiles Reuilly AOC 2023

Gold medal at the Global Pinot Grigio Masters 2024

Loire Valley, France

Approx. retail price: £22

Fans go crazy every time Taylor Swift performs a new mash-up during the "surprise songs" part of The Eras Tour. Well, consider this wine a mash-up of the singer's favourite: Loire Valley x Pinot Grigio. Judges described the wine as earthy, with smoky nuances and a "svelte texture": willow, the opening track to Swift's most "witchy" album, will be the perfect companion to sip this Reuilly. Swift described her song as "casting a spell to make somebody fall in love with you" - I suspect this wine did the exact same thing to our judges. First time participating, and already rivalling established Italian Pinot Grigio!

Cantine Vitevis, Gordon Ramsey Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC 2023

Gold medal at the Global Pinot Grigio Masters 2024

Veneto, Italy

Approx. retail price: £10

"A really impressive, affordable and super-fruity Italian Pinot Grigio" said the judges. To which I'm sure Taylor Swift would reply "it's a love story, baby just say yes". Do I even need to remind you that Romeo and Juliet, which inspired the song, is set in Veneto, Italy, where Gordon Ramsay chose to make his wine?

And he is a Swiftie himself, as he was spotted exchanging friendship bracelets with the singer at her London show last month. A 10/10 wine and music taste from chef Ramsay.

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Swiftonomics: It's a Love Story between Taylor Swift and wine - The Drinks Business

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Could the American singer's influence extend beyond music to the vineyards? As Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio dominate recent sales, Iris Fabre explores how the pop star's preferences are reshaping the wine market.

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By Iris Fabre
Cava Discovery Week will take place from today (5 July) until 14 July in the UK, with more than 30 venues organising events to celebrate the diversity of the Spanish fizz, and the trend towards sustainability and premiumisation.
Cava has been relegated on the third place of the sparkling podium long enough. With sales reaching a record of more than 250 million bottles last year, the king of Spanish sparkling wines is ready take things to the next level.

Today marks the beginning of Cava Discovery Week in the UK, held ahead of International Cava Day on July 12. From 5-14 July, some of the most prestigious restaurants and wine retailers in London will be showcasing Cava's versatility and prestige, from tasting flights to specially paired menus and Cava happy hour offers.

This week, db attended the press launch at Trivet Restaurant in London Bridge, hosted by top sommelier and Cava brand ambassador, Salvatore Castano.

Traditional method

The traditional method sparkling wine has been made since the late 19 th century, and the Cava D.O. (Designation of Origin), created in 1989, has gradually been implementing changes to shape a more cohesive and comprehensive identity.

In 2017, a group of Cava producers decided to separate from the D.O. to create their own umbrella brand, Corpinnat, with a focus on high quality sparkling wines and longer lees ageing times.

Two years later, the D.O. decided to follow in their footsteps by introducing two new categories: Cava de Guarda and Cava de Guarda Superior. The latter is sub-divided between Reserva, Gran Reserva and Paraje Calificado, which has stricter requirements both in the vineyard and the cellar for single estate vineyards. In line with this reclassification, the D.O. created new labels to help consumers clearly identify the origin and style of Cava.

Sustainability also plays an increasingly important role in the D.O.: organic Cava production grew by 24.59% in 2024, and Penedès, Cava's main producing region, announced its goal of reaching 100% organic production by 2025.

With Cava Discovery Week, the D.O. seeks to reflect those changes and highlight Cava's diversity in terms of regions, altitudes, grape varieties, soils, and inherently wine profiles.

"Cava D.O. wants to up their game and follow up with Prosecco and Champagne", said Salvatore Castano, echoing the declarations of the D.O.'s president Javier Pagés last March, who argued the new segmentation of Cava gave a boost to the sector.

"We have seen a growing interest from venues for Cava Discovery Week" said Sophie Manson from Hopscotch Season (formerly Sopexa), the PR agency handling the event.

"Most of the venues which took part in the 2023 edition were Spanish establishments, but the diversity this year makes it even more exciting, from gastronomic Japanese restaurants to 5-star hotels", she added.

Flagship events include a 6-course seafood menu at Pizarro, a Japanese pairing lunch at Kioku by Endo and a Spanish music and Cava pairing at Battersea Store.

Taster

The press launch gave us a taster of Cava Discovery Week, in the form of a 4-course meal paired with six Cava de Guarda Superior, from small growers looking for distribution in the UK as well as major players.

This illustrates the D.O.'s wish to push for Cava premiumisation both from large wineries, such as Freixenet or Codorníu and artisan producers.

As an amuse-bouche, we tasted gougères with goats curd and lemon: the zesty feel was an ideal counterpart to Roger Goulart's Gran Reserva Josep Valls 2019, a Cava displaying lively acidity, citrus and apricot flavours on the palate.

The main dish was plaice - a classic, but with a twist: the cherry tomatoes added a lovely, sweeter note to the dish while the pickled shimeji gave it a touch of umami.

Two Cavas were paired with the fish, including Cava Guilera's Musivaria Cava de Guarda Superior Gran Reserva aged for 16 years on the lees, which showed complexity but an impressive freshness still. The retail price? A mere £16.

"That's the beauty of Cava," said Castano, "you can taste long-aged sparkling for a very reasonable price".

To find out more about Cava and the events organised around you, head to the Cava Discovery Week's website.

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Cava Discovery Week will take place from today (5 July) until 14 July in the UK, with more than 30 venues organising events to celebrate the diversity of the Spanish fizz and the trend towards sustainability and premiumisation.

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A blog I wrote during my uni days as a side project, focusing on art, travel and literature, and promoting its access to everyone - you never know when you'll stumble upon the poem, painting or book that will change your life!

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Le blog de la culture et du reste d'après deux jeunes regards.

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By Iris Fabre
Thanks to its rediscovery, the long misunderstood grape variety slowly carved its path to success: help your wine stand out by entering the Global Carmenère Masters competition by 29 March.
If Carmenère were a saying, it would without a doubt be "everything comes to those who wait". This black grape variety has been around for centuries, and yet it has only been rediscovered recently.

After a century almost forgotten as a historic Bordeaux blending grape, then mistaken for Merlot, Carmenère has developed a fantastic reputation in the past thirty years, since Chile embraced it as its signature variety.

Carmenère slowly carved its path to success in the wine landscape, and is now not only Chile's crown jewel, but also grown in China, where it is called Cabernet Gernitsch, in Italy, and back to its origins, in Bordeaux.

After the success of its first edition, which uncovered a myriad of fine Carmenère from Chile but also gems from Northern Italy, the Global Carmenère Masters returns in April. The dedicated competition aims at finding the top expressions across the world of this long misunderstood grape variety.

The Global Carmenère Masters is open to any varietal Carmenère, or blends containing at least 50% Carmenère. They can be produced anywhere in the world. Entries are open for another two weeks and results will be published in the May issue of the drinks business magazine and online.

Time to reward your patience: get your Carmenère a medal and enter the competition here before 29 March.

Entries cost: £159 ex VAT
For more information contact: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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Carmenère: a history of patience - The Drinks Business

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Thanks to its rediscovery, the long misunderstood grape variety slowly carved its path to success: help your wine stand out by entering the Global Carménère Masters competition by 29 March.

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By Iris Fabre
The growing category has never offered so much diversity, so enter the Global Sparkling Masters 2024 before 22 April to stand out among the competition.
Whether Napoléon Bonaparte, Coco Chanel, Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill or other famous drinker of fizz, these celebrities saw it as worthy of everyday consumption.

But traditionally sparkling wine has been considered a luxury product designed to be consumed on special occasions. However, times are changing, and consumers are gradually drinking fizz as a little treat without necessarily celebrating anything - just like all those celebrities throughout history.

Giorgio Del Rosso, head of statistics at the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), confirmed the "de-seasonalisation" of sparkling wine: OIV's recent research revealed that the growing consumption of bubbles is responsible for two thirds of the increase in white wine production.

Fizz seems to be at the dawn of its glory days - which is not surprising when you look at everything the sparkling category has to offer, beyond the incredible success of Champagne and Prosecco: Cava, Crémant, Trentodoc, Cap Classique, sparkling Shiraz... and the list could go on and on.

It is therefore only natural that the Global Wine Masters dedicate a competition open to any style of sparkling, from any region: the Global Sparkling Masters 2024.

The contest will identify the very best expressions of fizz across the world, from Champagne to Pet Nat. Entries are open for another six weeks and results will be published in the June issue of the drinks business magazine and online.
We are looking for bubbly personalities! Enter the competition here before 22 April.
Entries cost £159 ex VAT
For more information contact sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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The growing category has never offered so much diversity, so enter the Global Sparkling Masters 2024 before 22 April to stand out among the competition.

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By Iris Fabre
The Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters contest is your chance to stand out among an ever-growing competition. Enter before 26 August.
In a world where wine consumption decreases, one grape variety resists: Sauvignon Blanc, whose sales increased both in value (by 6%) and volume (by 2%) in the last year, according to WineBusiness. Shortages of Sauvignon from Sancerre or Marlborough are not uncommon, as it can be difficult to catch up with the insatiable demand.

However, some preconceived ideas about Sauvignon Blanc persist, and it's time we set the record straight about the world's favourite wine...

New Zealand Sauvignon always taste tropical

Sauvignon Blanc's success story in New Zealand has inevitably attached it to a particular style - an aromatic, youthful white with exuberant tropical fruits and gooseberry flavours. And if this incredible success worldwide for 50 years means various quality levels have been produced to satisfy the demand, there is more to the country than a generic "New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc". They are not afraid to experiment with their signature grape variety, and each region has its own flavour profile, from elegant restrained herbaceous styles to rich oaked Sauvignon Blancs.

Good Sauvignon Blanc must come from Loire Valley or New Zealand

For sure, these two regions are iconic and renowned for their Sauvignon Blanc. But the beauty of this variety lies in its capacity to mirror the terroir it was grown in, enabling to produce a vast array of styles. For instance, judges from last year's Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters competition tasted entries from 14 countries, with highlights from Chile, Moldova, Austria, Italy, South Africa, and Turkey.

Sauvignon Blanc should be unoaked and drunk young

Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic variety, meaning it usually displays an intense bouquet of aromas that you wouldn't want to clash with oaky flavours. However, producers are experimenting more with Sauvignon Blanc, using extended lees contact or oak ageing to add structure and weight to the wines. The two Master medallists of last year's competition, American Clos du Val and Italian Inama Vulcaia Fumé, "both use oak with subtlety and elegance to enhance the natural fruit of the Sauvignon Blanc" according to chairing judge Siobhan Turner MW.

Now is your chance to break the stereotypes and join the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2024, a competition aiming at identifying the best this grape variety can offer, in every style and price range. Entries are open for another month and results will be published in the October issue of the drinks business magazine and online.
Put your Savvy B on the A-list with a medal: enter the competition here before 26 August.
Entries cost £159 ex VAT
For more information contact: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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How to make Sauvignon Blanc stand out in a crowded market

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The Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters contest is your chance to help demystify the most popular wine in the world. Enter before 26 August.

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Is travel retail one of the biggest untapped markets of the wine industry?

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Important transformations are reshaping the sector as travel bounces back. Help your wine to take-off by entering the Wine Travel Retail Masters competition before 29 July.

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By Iris Fabre
Orange wine could be the key to seduce a new generation of wine drinkers. That's why the Global Wine Masters are qvevri happy to introduce their inaugural competition dedicated to orange wines, accepting entries until 28 June.
Consumption of alcohol is decreasing, especially among younger generations, and wine is no exception. But Gen Z drinkers seem willing to explore and discover new wines rather than sticking to their favourite, opening the door to off the beaten track wines that might have been left behind, such as orange wines. Could this category be the one that help save the industry?

Orange wine is nothing new - if anything, it is a true success story that started about 5,000 years ago. From qvevri amphora fermentation in Georgia thousands of years ago, to becoming an essential on the shelves of any East London wine bar, orange wine seem to have reinvented itself, and its popularity keeps rising - to the point it is no longer just a hipster trend.

There is so much education and history that surround this category and can pique the curiosity of wine enthusiasts.

For instance, orange wine has nothing to do with the fruit: the colour comes from an ancient winemaking technique consisting in leaving the white grapes macerate on their skins for an extended amount of time (hence the "skin contact" term often used to describe the wines) before pressing them - something typically reserved to red wine production.

Skin contact gives the resulting wine distinctive aromas such as bruised apple or dried apricot, and a denser texture than traditional whites, with some tannic structure while retaining a high acidity.

Georgia is not the only orange wine producer - in the 1990s, North-East Italy, with historic producers such as Gravner or Radikon, developed a reputation for orange wines too, and it is now safe to say that amber wine has conquered the world and is produced in a myriad of countries and styles.

This singular but diverse category of wine deserves a competition on its own, which is why the Global Wine Masters are excited to launch the first Global Orange Wine Masters competition this summer.

As always, each entry will be blind tasted by a panel of expert judges comprised of Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and senior buyers. Entries are open for another five weeks, to any skin contact, orange or amber wine from anywhere in the world. Results will be published in the July issue of the drinks business magazine and online.

Entries cost £159 ex VAT
For more information contact: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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Orange wine: hipster trend or global phenomenon?

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Orange wine could be the key to seduce a new generation of wine drinkers. That's why the Global Wine Masters are qvevri happy to introduce their inaugural competition dedicated to orange wines, accepting entries until 28 June.

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By Iris Fabre
The fortified category has put a lot of efforts into reinventing itself and proving it can adapt to consumer trends. Be part of the change and enter the Global Fortified Masters before 28 July.
Fortified wines often are underrated, seemingly because of their 'old school' image. But if there's one category that has been working hard to seduce a new generation of wine drinkers, it's this one, reinventing itself with Sherry or Port-based cocktails or gastronomic food pairings.

Chairing judge Patricia Stefanowicz seemed to share this opinion after last year's Global Fortified Masters competition: "these wines are fantastic and rather than being old-fashioned they are more post-modern, and well suited to contemporary consumer tastes".

In line with the rest of the drinks industry, the fortified wine market has been impacted by the global trend (often associated to Millennials) of favouring quality over quantity, even if that requires a more important spending.

This has been reflected in the increasing interest in vintage ports for example, such as Taylor's which just announced the launch of its Sentinels Vintage Port, a "tribute to the unique terroir" of the Pinhão Valley according to head winemaker David Guimaraens.

The Global Fortified Masters competition reflects the evolution of the market, providing an in- depth analysis and giving your wines the opportunity to be in the spotlight.

In August, our panel of expert judges, composed of Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and senior buyers will gather to assess the best fortified on the market.

Entries are tasted blind, allowing fortified wines from across the globe to be judged purely on style and price. Entries are open for another month, to any fortified wine, from Sherry to Vins Doux Naturels.

Results will be published in the September issue of the drinks business magazine and online.
Ready to make your fortified wine even stronger with a medal? Enter the competition here before 28 July 2024.
Entries cost £159 ex VAT
For more information contact: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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Can premiumisation save fortified wines?

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The fortified category has put a lot of efforts into reinventing itself and proving it can adapt to consumer trends. Be part of the change and enter the Global Fortified Masters before 28 July.

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By Iris Fabre
Don't know what to drink for English Wine Week? db has put together a list of favourite picks from our The Global Wine Masters Competitions' judges.
The 2024 edition of the English Wine Week started strong, with WineGB publishing their manifesto for growth, which includes impressive figures and predictions for the fastest growing agricultural sector in the UK: viticulture.

The English wine industry is without a doubt conquering new heights and being increasingly recognised for its quality and diversity, as highlighted by the recent results of our Global Wine Masters competitions.

Organised by the drinks business, each of the 28 annual competitions focuses on a grape variety or particular style. Wines are tasted blind by our expert judges, mostly Masters of Wine, ensuring impartial judgement and good surprises - including English wines.

If you want to celebrate but don't know what to open, fear not, we happen to have just what you need: recommendations from the best palates in the world, chairing judges Patrick Schmitt MW and Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

Balfour Nannette's Rosé 2023

Balfour Winery is located at Hush Heath Estate in Kent, 'The Garden of England'. When the Balfour-Lynn family started making wine, they thought "If we can't sell it, we'll drink it". But their first sparkling rosé was a success - so is this still rosé, based on the 'classic' Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties.

What the judges said: "This lovely, pale peach-hued wine exudes an English garden in springtime. Aromatic strawberry and raspberry fruits are supported by lively acidity and a plush, creamy texture. A light-bodied, concentrated and 'dreamy' wine, showing hints of herbs and hedgerow flowers, it will be perfect for Wimbledon strawberries and cream, or on its own as an aperitif."

Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV

The Hampshire-based winery is considered the oldest commercial vineyard in the country. Classic Cuvée is their signature wine, blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and aged 35 months on the lees.

What the judges said: A first-rate example of English sparkling wine, with its typical mix of fresh apple fruit and firm acidity, this Classic Cuvée from Hambledon also features notes of pastry and pear, lemon and quince, with a creamy- textured mousse and a very dry, somewhat tart finish.

Hambledon Premiere Cuvée NV

Produced from vines on South East facing chalk slopes, Première Cuvée is a blend of the classic champagne grape varieties, with a majority of Chardonnay, and is aged over five years on the lees.

What the judges said: An aromatic wine with scents of pastry and raspberries, along with notes of rhubarb and custard. In the mouth, there's a hint of summer red berry fruit and a touch of bread dough, though more dominant are refreshing characters of green apple and citrus zest, with a palate-cleansing finish, featuring a chalky dry sensation, and a firm acid bite.

Henners Foxearle English Sparkling Brut 2016

Henners is located just 5 miles away from the sea in East Sussex. The maritime influence helps protecting the vineyards from frost and adds a lovely crisp character to their wines.

What the judges said: A delicious example of English sparkling wine using predominantly Chardonnay from the first-rate 2016 harvest. Loaded with orchard fruit flavours, from crisp apple to creamy pear, there's also a note of baked bread, a touch of beeswax, and a fresh, dry, chalky-tasting finish.

Sandridge Barton Blanc de Noirs 2020

Medal: Master at the Global Sparkling Masters 2023
Approx. retail price: £40

The Blanc de Noirs 2020 is the inaugural release of the Devon-based winery's premium range. The vintage is the first sourced from their new estate at Sandridge Barton; the team, previously known as Sharpham Wine, completed their move to the site near Stoke Gabriel in 2022.

What the judges said: A super fresh fizz packed with flavours of crisp, fresh orchard fruits, freshly baked bread and puff pastry, with a zesty, bone-dry finish.

Busi Jacobsohn Blanc de Noirs 2018

Busi Jacobsohn is a family-run single estate established in 2015, growing grapes on the deep limestone-chalk soils in the High Weald of Kent.

What the judges said: This elegant wine shows focused pear and gentle red berry fruit with toasty autolysis. Very dry, pure and concentrated, firm acidity and brittle mousse texture support the vibrant fruit. It has a lovely, linear style that would work nicely with smoked salmon canapés.

Busi Jacobsohn Blanc de Blancs 2018

What the judges said: Busi Jacobsohn is a brilliant producer, crafting fine fizz from south-west facing vineyards in East Sussex, like this pure Chardonnay, with its layers of lively, persistent zesty lemon and fresh apple characters, complemented by subtle notes of hazelnut and baked bread from the five years this wine spends on its lees.

Chapel Down Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine NV

Chapel Down needs no introduction. The winery, based at Tenterden in Kent, is regarded as one of the leading producers in the UK, investing in vineyards and sourcing grapes from other exceptional English vineyards.

What the judges said: This lovely Brut Rosé Sparkling is a gem, showing red berry fruit and a gentle yeast overlay. Brut-style with 8g/1 dosage, the palate is light-bodied, and has racy acidity and brittle mousse texture supporting the juicy flavours. A light, elegant style with layers of texture and flavour. A perfect gift, if visiting abroad, or for personal consumption at home.

Candover Brook Rosé Sparkling NV

Candover Brook was founded in 2012 by Lord John Sainsbury, in partnership with his two sons, who now run the Hampshire-based vineyard. Planted on gentle south-facing slopes with limestone soils, the traditional Champagne grapes are perfectly suited to making 'classic' sparkling wines.

What the judges said: Pale peach in colour with small bubbles, this English sparkler has aromatic red berry fruit with gentle fresh yeast and yellow rose accents. Brut-style, the palate is nicely defined with crisp acidity and lovely balance. Defined, layered and creamy- textured, this refined example is a delightful aperitif, but would work nicely with freshly-caught trout in a butter-and-lemon sauce.

Woodchester Valley Pinot Gris 2022

Set in the picturesque Cotswolds, this family-owned boutique winery is proof that great English wine isn't confined to the south-east of the country. Although they have grown Pinot Gris grapes for over ten years, this award- winning wine was their very first 100% Pinot Gris still cuvée.

What the judges said: One of the most surprising finds in last year 's Global Pinot Gris Masters was this wine from Woodchester Valley. It bettered a host of fine Pinot Grigios from Italy, for its combination of soft sweet fruit flavours and firm, fresh acid structure. In terms of flavour there's plenty of creamy pear and blood orange, followed by a bitter-lemon character on the finish, giving a lingering and refreshing edge to this off-dry wine.

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Top 10 wines to try for English Wine Week

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Don't know what to drink for English Wine Week? db have put together a list of favourite picks from our The Global Wine Masters Competitions' judges.

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By Iris Fabre
From chilled reds to cooler-climate expressions of Syrah, red wine drinkers have plenty of options to enjoy a glass of their favourite under the summer sun. Become one of them by entering the Global Syrah Masters competition, closing 2 June.
With longer and warmer days calling for a cold glass of wine or beer, and orange wine being crowned 'drink of the summer' by TikTok users, does that mean red wine is to be relegated in the cellar for the whole season? Or is it okay to drink red in the summer?

Opposite to some preconceived ideas, red wine should not be served at room temperature.

The chilled red category has become incredibly popular in the past few years, as more and more consumers turn to light and easy drinking styles of reds, made from varieties such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Gamay or Dolcetto for instance.

There's nothing wrong with putting your red in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes before serving it. Even for bolder reds such as Malbec or Syrah, a maximum temperature of 16-18 °C is recommended - otherwise, the wine can feel flabby and overly warm on the palate.

Another myth must be debunked: some grape varieties known to result in full bodied wines over 14% abv can sometimes be made in lighter styles. The key is to balance alcohol levels with a high acidity, which will give a refreshing, lighter feel when you drink the wine.

Syrah, for instance, can have some refreshing and fragrant expressions, such as the Best Syrah 2024, won by Swiss winery Domaine Jean-René Germanier after being awarded a Master medal at the Global Syrah Masters 2023. Chairing judge Patricia Stefanowicz MW described their Cayas Syrah Réserve as "intriguing" and "well-defined", with its "brisk acidity and structured silky- textured tannins".

Our dedicated competition returns next month, chaired by a panel of expert judges (mostly Masters of Wine). The wines are all tasted blind, allowing Syrah from across the globe to be judged purely on style and price.

Don't miss out, as there are only a few days left to enter the Global Syrah Masters 2024! The competition is open to any Syrah varietals or blends with at least 50% of Syrah. Results will be published in the July issue of the drinks business magazine and online.
Summery, wintery or all-rounders - all Syrah and Shiraz are welcome! Enter the competition here before 2 June 2024 Entries cost £159 ex -VAT For more information contact: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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Drinking red wine in the summer: yay or nay?

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From chilled reds to cooler-climate expressions of Syrah, drinkers have plenty of summer options. Highlight your bottle in the Global Syrah Masters competition, closing 2 June.

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By Iris Fabre
Can producers highlight Malbec's fantastic ability to adapt to different terroirs? Our Global Malbec Masters competition offers that opportunity. Enter by 23 July.
Malbec certainly has one of the most successful wine stories of the turn of the century. The grape variety, originally from Bordeaux where it is known as Côt, found a second home in Argentina and soon in the glass of wine drinkers all around the world, with the US and the UK as its biggest fans.

The generic term of 'Argentine Malbec', associated with a full-bodied red with high alcohol and ripe dark berries, helped put both Argentina and Malbec on a map, bringing recognition as its popularity and exports raised. But how well does this term reflect the reality of this grape variety in 2024?

Terrazas de los Andes estate director Lucas Löwi argues that "it's time to talk specifically about terroir" in Argentina - Malbecs from Las Compuertas, Altamira, Los Chacayes and Gualtallary have "very, very different soils."

"Malbec has a history of being fantastic at adapting" adds sommelier Andrés Rosberg from the region Los Chacaye.

It can be vinified in many different ways, from white to dessert wines, and doesn't only thrive in Mendoza.

Malbec's capacity to adapt means it can be a fantastic reflection of the diverse terroir of Argentina and other countries where it is planted, a point supported by last year's analysis of the Global Malbec Masters by chairing judge Patrick Schmitt MW: "between [the 2000s] and now, we've watched the Malbecs of southwest France gradually soften, fill out and improve, and the versions from South America move from fat to skinny, sometimes green, and then a little bit back again to a position, right now, where they are generous, ripe, but also refreshing".

The Global Malbec Masters competition returns next month and is the perfect opportunity to highlight the diversity and nuances of the grape variety.

Chaired by a panel of expert judges (mostly Masters of Wine), all wines are tasted blind, allowing Malbec from across the globe to be judged purely on style and price.

The competition is open for another five weeks, to any Malbec varietals or blends with at least 50% of Malbec. Results will be published in the September issue of the drinks business magazine and online.
Let your Malbec show its true colours and enter the competition here before the 23 July 2024.
Entries cost £159 ex VAT
For more information contact: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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If most drinkers associate Argentina with Malbec, how can producers highlight its fantastic ability to adapt to different terroirs? Our Global Malbec Masters competition offers that opportunity. Enter by 23 July.

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By Iris Fabre
Or to correct this Mean Girls movie inspired quote, rosé can be drunk every day, of every season. Our rosé-focused competition is your chance to make your wine stand out among an ever-growing competition. Enter before 16 April.
"My name is rosé, and I am a massive deal" - sure, these are not exactly Reneé Rapp's lyrics to the recently released Mean Girls musical movie. But with one in ten bottles of wines consumed being rosé in 2021 (source: Wine Intelligence), we can safely say pink wine has conquered the world and is no longer just a summer drink nor a by-product of red wine.

Pale to dark pink, bone dry to almost cloyingly sweet, unoaked to barrel-aged, still to sparkling - there's little you won't find from rosé producers. And if France remains the number one producer and creates stellar examples, last year's Global Masters competition proved that outstanding rosés are made all across the globe, with award-winning wines from Italy, Australia, Spain, New Zealand, Austria, and Romania.

Now is your chance to join one of our most extensive competitions: the Global Rosé Masters 2024 focuses on identifying the best pink wines around the world, in every style and price range. Entries are open for another three months and results will be published in the June issue of the drinks business magazine and online.
Make fetch happen (in other words: win a medal) and Entries cost: £159 ex VAT For more information contact: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com enter the competition here before April 16

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Or to correct this Mean Girls movie inspired quote, rosé can be drunk every day, of every season. Our rosé-focused competition is your chance to make your wine stand out among an ever-growing competition. Enter before 16 April.

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‘The paler, the better’? Three rosé myths debunked

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The Global Rosé Masters contest is your chance to help demystify one of the most popular categories of wine and make your rosé stand out among an ever-growing competition. Enter before 16 April.

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Brochure - The Global Wine Masters 2024 - Entrants Guide

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The educational Instagram account I co-founded.

We share our best wine tips and experiences with a quirky twist - all for free.

From wine region explorations to quick tips to level up your wine knowledge, with handmade wine maps and infographics, we’re here to take you on our wine journey - no fuss, just fun!

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Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Instagram account - The Global Wine Masters

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Instagram account - The Global Wine Masters

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Stats January-June 2024:

27K reach (+109%)

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+288 followers.

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LinkedIn account - The Global Wine Masters

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LinkedIn account - The Global Wine Masters

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Stats January-June 2024:

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The Global Wine Masters Competitions | LinkedIn

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The Global Wine Masters Competitions | 499 followers on LinkedIn. A global series of blind tasting wine competitions, judged by the best palates in the business. | The Global Wine Masters Competitions is a yearly programme of wine competitions from The Drinks Business. The Wine Masters runs globally respected blind-tasting competitions, offering producers the opportunity to compete for medals and showcase award-winning wines. Our competitions have gained that respect through rigorous standards, including: - Blind judging by industry experts.

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irisfabre23@gmail.com

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Sipping Solo: My Wine Odyssey in Italy (in French)

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Sipping Solo: My Wine Odyssey in Italy (in French)

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A blog written in French about my 3-month solo road trip in Italy in 2018, where I talk about wine (shocker!), Italian culture, volunteering, farm work, art, finding yourself as a young adult, and all the wonderful characters I met.