… and family at South Ridge or Ridge View as is more know outside of Laithwaites. Mike is Mr. English Sparkling Wine. The country owes him a debt.
Went with Barbara who is having her wine made there (none released yet but tasting very promising. And with our Anne (Linder) who was responsible for getting our first South Ridge made in 1993. It is the oldest wine in Mike's cellar. Two bottles left. I drank one with Hugh Johnson a few years ago. It was a revelation. Hey, England really can make very serious wine!!! Like a fine bottle of Krug it was. Really! (Ask Hugh).
This visit, after the serious tasting, we tried two '96's. Both incredibly complex and showy. Most English Sparkling is world class (we do need a snappier name tho' … Mike and others are keen on 'Merret' after the English guy who made his wine fizz back in 16-something … forget when, but ages ago) but to become very good it needs time. There was a song by Eartha Kitt 'An Englishman Needs Time' … so does English Sparkling apparently. Or Merret.
You'll get plenty opportunities to try. The UK acreage under vines has rocketed. Expect a bit of a surplus around 2013 unless everyone starts drinking more home grown fizz. Mike's doubling the size of his cellar and we have new cuvées quietly maturing. Could do worse than snap up a bottle or two of our own Theale Vineyard Sparkling (made by Mike the Maestro). No English wine has won more accolades and awards than our little baby.
Just remember you need be in no rush to drink it.
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