A New Year’s Eve Meal to Remember
Diana Groom, Tour Host
I have said it before and I’ll say it again, we here in England have to begin to ‘Back English Wines.’ We see it everywhere with our ‘Shop Small Saturday’ and other buy local campaigns, yet we still keep reaching for those imported wines. As the world begins to take notice of the quality and award-winning English sparkling wines, we have to remember to back British this New Year’s Eve. So, instead of reaching for that bottle of Champagne this year, reach for an English Sparkling Wine and toast the New Year right with only a sumptuous Woodchester sparkling!
Your Apéritif – Rosé Brut 2021
Our elegant Rosé Brut is the perfect way to start your New Year’s Eve meal. It is a traditionally-made sparkling wine that offers a lighter expression of rosé, with a pale salmon colour that compliments the delicate yet persistent mousse. On the palate, there are notes of raspberries, strawberries and Victoria plums, with an underlying note of elegant pastries.
The Rosé Brut is the perfect apéritif and pairs excellently with a smoked salmon with lemon zest. Rosé Brut also pairs well with a variety of starters to include creamy cheese and prosciutto atop a pepper cracker, sushi or grilled prawns.
Your Main – Reserve Cuvée
The Reserve Cuvée is the perfect expression of English Sparkling Wine. This is my favourite wine that we produce at Woodchester Valley Vineyard because it is classic and elegant. It contains the three traditional Champagne grape varietals and is produced in the traditional manner. Who needs Champagne anyways?
On the nose, you will find bready brioche notes that will warm you instantly. You will then be delighted with mellow citrus, honeysuckle, and warm baked apple pie notes. And, you will savour the sumptuous finish of the bright effervesce throughout.
Reserve Cuvée pairs wonderfully with a copious amount of white wine mussels, frites and a fresh loaf of sourdough bread toped with a heaping of Cornish sea salt butter. It also pairs well with friends, family, and even a rich fish and chips.
Your Pudding – Trigonia Blanc de Blancs 2016
I have saved the best for last, the pièce de resistance, the Trigonia. This is a limited-edition Blanc de Blancs. This wine has spent six years on the lees, quietly evolving and developing those enhanced autolytic aromas and flavours.
On the nose, there are delightful aromas of biscuits and pastries, with a reminiscence of a lemon tart. This is the most expressive of the wines that we offer at Woodchester, and you would be remiss if you let this one sell out without trying it first.
Trigonia pairs well with a Stilton and cracker dessert board, fine chutneys, cashews and almonds. Trigonia should, however, always be paired with a kiss at midnight!
