England is increasingly recognised as a premium wine producing region and with a combination of progressively temperate climate, chalky soil, increased wine knowledge and more investment, British sparkling wine often trumps its more illustrious counterparts in France. Today, English sparkling wine is stocked in most major supermarkets and is a regular fixture on wine lists at top restaurants.
In May 2009, Waitrose became the first UK retailer to plant its own vineyard at Leckford Estate in Hampshire. We grow three grape varieties on our 4.7-hectare vineyard; Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. The grapes are turned into Leckford Estate Brut by the award-winning winemakers at the Ridgeview Wine Estate in Sussex. The stunning Leckford Estate Brut has aromas of toasted brioche and hazelnuts, which give way to a creamy palate with apple and peach flavours. Although there are no rules to pairings, we think it pairs well with canapés, such as crab pâté. Or pair it with a delicate white fish, poultry and English game birds.
Waitrose has become the largest retailer of English sparkling wine in the country, claiming a 65 percent market share. Furthermore, Waitrose was the first supermarket to export to China and Leckford Estate Brut was one of the four wines chosen!
The Leckford Estate Brut is available to purchase at the Longstock Park Farm Shop as well as 57 Waitrose branches. Visit the Longstock Park Farm Shop and Café and enjoy the panoramic views whilst tasting the elegant Leckford Estate Brut today. Also, enjoy other Leckford grown products including; Leckford Estate Cider, apple juice, mushrooms and rapeseed oil from our Café’s seasonal menu. View more information, including opening hours here.