Spurrier’s English fizz launched

Wine trade veteran and writer, Steven Spurrier, has released Bride Valley – his first English sparkling wine through Liberty Wines

Bride Valley’s grapes come from a 25 acre vineyard on Spurrier’s South Dorset farm, and are vinified by his neighbour, Ian Edwards at Furleigh Estate. The first release of the Pinot Meunier-dominated Cuvée Réserve 2011 will be joined by Rosé Bella and a Blanc de Blancs.

Talking of the UK, Spurrier claims: “There’s more demand than supply right now with 1,600 hectares of vineyards planted here. That will grow to over 2,000 hectares in the next three years according to Stephen Skelton MW at which point supply and demand will balance out and there’ll be price promotions, but I’m not worried.”

“Thanks to Nyetimber, we’ve been very lucky to be either side of £30, way above Prosecco and Cava,” says Spurrier. Bride Valley is set to retail at around £25, and marks the fourth English sparkling wine on Liberty’s list. “The market has grown dramatically and is still growing,” says Liberty’s MD, David Gleave MW. “But ultimately the industry has got to export.” Bride Valley is distributed by Boisset-Vins in the EU, USA and China.