England’s beloved winery launches the second vintage of its esteemed, Fifty One Degrees North.
The most awarded English sparkling wine producer, Gusbourne is known for offering excellence in every bottle. It’s no surprise then, that the winery, which was owned by John de Goosebourne, dates back to 1410. Fast forward, and since planting its first vines in 2004, the company had a single goal, to create English Sparkling Wines that would stand up alongside the very finest offering from across the globe. Always vintage, Gusbourne offers the very best expressions that are unique to each growing season, that results in an authentic reflection of a time and place.
Starting with the grapes, the Kent land is home to the classic grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and by growing the grapes themselves in their vineyards in Appledore, the quality and standards can be maintained to the brand’s liking; and hence the host of global awards, accolades, and recognition.
Now, Champagne enthusiasts rejoice as Gusbourne’s most exclusive and premium sparkling wine, Fifty One Degrees North has released its 2016 vintage expression. After all, its well-regarded 2014 vintage sold out in just nine months.
Unique in form, Fifty One Degrees North embraces its roots and pays homage via the name, yes you’ve guessed it, it’s the latitudinal coordinates of Gusbourne’s vineyard. Regarded as an excellent year for winemaking, there were near-perfect growing conditions of 2016 with a mild spring combined with the warm and dry summer, which resulted in abundant, perfectly ripened fruit, Jon Pollard, Chief Vineyard Manager, says on this, “2016 offered optimum growing conditions, allowing us to create this exceptional vintage prestige cuvée, and I’m confident that this wine will continue to provide a benchmark for the top-tier quality of English sparkling wine.” A worthy successor to Gusbourne’s critically acclaimed 2014 release was then formed.
On its terroir and expertise, Pollard shares, "Fifty One Degrees North is made possible by the combination of an in-depth knowledge of our terroir and the skill, craftsmanship and innovation of the Gusbourne winemaking team.” He continues, “England is recognised now as having a climate ideal for sparkling wine grapes, and I believe that Fifty One Degrees North is the ultimate expression of what we are now able to achieve in this country.”
Blending two-thirds Chardonnay and one-third Pinot Noir using fruit grown from both
Gusbourne’s Kent and West Sussex vineyards, the tasting notes are distinct, thanks to the mineral and maritime influences. The result? A singular vintage wine that offers a balanced, multi-layered composition due to the silky, rich, and intense fruit grown in the clay and sandstone Kent vineyards, with added elegance and freshness.
Laura Rhys MS, Gusbourne Global Ambassador, shares, "The reaction to our inaugural vintage of Fifty One Degrees North was outstanding and I’m very proud of that. I have been thrilled to see customers from all corners of the globe get so excited about it and to see it being served across the UK and abroad, from Norway, the USA, and Germany to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. There has been such an obvious change in perception towards English sparkling wine in recent years and I’m delighted that Gusbourne has played such a central role in that."
It has been so well received, the 2016 vintage can be found in leading restaurants and hotels from Moor Hal, Sat Bains and The Pig to Four Seasons Hampshire and the Mandarin Oriental and Ynyshir.
Other Sparking Expressions from Gusbourne
Gusbourne offers a host of award-winning English sparkling wines, from the signature Blanc de Blancs to the best-selling Brut Reserve, all crafted using the estate-grown Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.
2013 Blanc de Blancs Late Disgorged
The extended lees ageing of this wine offers a complexity and creaminess, with hints of toasted Brazil nut, fresh pastry, plus bright citrus fruits, stone fruits and a minerality.
2015 Brut Reserve Late Disgorged
Expert plenty of citrus peel, green apple and stone fruits alongside brioche and biscuit notes. There’s a zingyness thanks to the lemon sherbet aromas, that evolve into a creamier lemon finish on the palate, with white peach and pear. The extended lees ageing here brings notes of buttered toast and delicate spice.
2018 Blanc de Meuniers, Down Field Vineyard, West Sussex
Down Field gives powerful, defined styles of Pinot Meunier which are elegant, profiling wild strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, with red apple and ripe peach. There’s a touch of spice from the lees ageing.
2019 Rosé Magnum
Our distinctive English Rosé is a sparkling for all seasons. It's characteristically complex, combining red-fruit flavours with spice, minerality and balanced acidity. It's incredibly versatile when it comes to food matching.
See more on: gusbourne.com.
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