evolution Archives

There’s nothing better than sipping a crisp glass of sparkling wine, especially when you’re toasting the festive season and the end of a decade. With so many different styles of sparkling wine, how do you choose the one that suits your tastebuds?

We caught up with our winemaker Gavin to ask him for his top tips of choosing the best sparkling wine for you.

What’s new with sparkling wine these days?

Consumers who appreciate good fiz regularly feel that Prossecco may have run its course and are seeking out good value alternative single house Champagnes. Minimalist producers with ‘petulant natural’ styles also French Crémants and revisiting Spanish Cava, however, if you look carefully there are still some worthwhile Prosseccos and Lambruscos to be had.

Is there a common mistake people make when choosing a sparkling wine?

Looking only at big brands and bling packaging and not reading the label, also only buying Brut as sweetness kills flavour and masks fault.

How do you help customers choose a sparkling wine?

Is it for a special occasion, enjoying with food or casual quaffing? Do they like the fresh and precise blanc de blanc, fuller Classic Cuvée or my favourite…Rosé.

Do you have any top sparkling wine tips?

Drink Brut, if it is not lively on opening it is likely that it is going to disappoint. Unless it is the top end it is unlikely it will improve with age so drink it!

What are some of your preferred food pairings?

Our Hencote Evolution with Oysters is a delicious pairing. Classic Cuvée with mushroom risotto and Rosé with fillet steak are also very good combinations – another favourite is also a Rosé with Eaton Mess.

If you’re looking for that perfect sparkling wine this Christmas and New Year why not try our Evolution.

We are delighted to announce that our Evolution Sparkling wine was recently a bronze medal winner at the International Wine Challenge.

The challenge which is in its 36th year is accepted as one of the most popular wine competitions. IWC judges assess every wine in a blind tasting which means judges are not able to see the wine label or where it has been produced.

Each medal-winning wine is tasted on at least three separate occasions by a minimum of 12 different judges including Masters of Wine.

The Evolution was described by Panel Chair Clem Yates as “bright, fresh, with a good balance between acidity and sweetness. Apple and lemon flavours.”

The wine has not been made in the conventional process like Champagne, Prosecco or Cava but has borrowed methods in order to present a wine that is representative to all three styles.

We also wanted to stay close to the local heritage of Shropshire and the birthplace of Charles Darwin – hence the name Evolution.

Next week we start the “triage” of our 2019 Evolution where we will stick to the preferred approach of simplicity by bottling early and maturing for only four months.

This means we capture the early fragrances of the season and anticipate the popularity of this sparkling wine to continue growing while presenting this style as our house offering.

To celebrate this achievement we have a great special offer. On Thursday 5th December you can join us for a wine tour and lunch. Here you’ll be able to view us bottling our 2019 Evolution vintage followed by a three-course meal and glass of sparkling wine at the View all for £35pp.

You can book your table here or call 01743 298 444 – we look forward to seeing you.