Saturday, Barbara gave me a bottle of Wyfold Sparkling 2009 … been quietly fermenting away in a corner of Will's brewery (he doesn't charge his mother rent) … to try before all the rest went to be disgorged by the Roberts at Ridgeview. This meant the bottle had to be left outside, upside down overnight because it was still full of sediment from the fizzing-up process.
So then I had to go outside with a bottle opener and flick the cap off with the bottle still upside down … let the sediment out with the first spurt. Just one thing; if you don't then get your thumb over the top v. quickly everything sprays bloody everywhere like you’re some bloody racing driver. Note to self: next time wear your anorak not your new sweater.
But the aroma filled the night air, there was enough left to drink and I couldn't wait to get back inside and drink it.
The wife was nervous. Winemakers always are when they get to try their wine for the first time. It’s worse for sparkling winemakers; this is two and half years old and she - well, no-one - has tasted it yet.
Great first impression; it’s really surging with fine bubbles; wave after wave of creamy froth. No-one's going to complain this baby doesn't bubble enough. And it’s got a lovely fine tinge of colour. The palest possible hint of grey-pink; what the French used to call 'partridge eye'.
Then that rich aroma still … clean fruit. This is a young wine so it’s mostly crisp apple sort of thing. That'll mellow soon and get more complex.
Clean in the mouth. But full. Not a thin wine. Just right weight, I'd say. Anyway the bottle is all soon gone … far too fast. That's its problem; much too drinkable. But having a wife that can make stuff like this … no problem.
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