Bee Supportive
If – like us – you’re worried about the plight of the bumblebee, please support The Bumblebee Conservation Trust. In the last 80 years bumblebee populations have plummeted, and two species have even become extinct in the UK.
“Currant” Affairs
Nores Knows
We were delighted to be invited by Nores to Stockholm and Bergen to talk about English Sparkling Wine. The on-trade in Norway and Sweden have embraced our fine fizz and wanted to know a little more about it, so we gave them a little snapshot of the industry.
TIPSY-TONGUED
The English language is surprisingly rich in the language of inebriation. If someone is a little ‘tipsy' – in the sense of slightly drunk and unsteady, rather than tipsy in the sense of askew or tilted (although they could be that too) – then there are many words to describe them.
Toast
First of all, why is a toast is called a toast? Apparently it was the Romans who first dropped burnt bread – known as ‘tostus’ meaning roasted or parched in latin – into their wine. The charcoal of burnt toast would soak up some of the acidity in inferior wine and make it more palatable.
FILLING YOUR BOOTS
Why do people glug fizz from footwear? Originally for good luck. Apparently this bizarre tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. Before battle some sort of alcohol would be drunk from the military commander’s boot to ensure courage and good luck. There was yet...
DENMARK WELCOMES AMBRIEL
Ambriel is heading to Denmark. Although Ambriel has been in Scandinavia for some time - particularly in Finland and Norway - its the first time for us into Denmark. We are thrilled that the Ambriel Classic, Ambriel Blanc de Blancs 2010 and the Ambriel Rose 2014 are...
ON OUR WAY TO THE USA
We are absolutely delighted to be launching Ambriel in the USA. On 2nd October both the Ambriel Classic and the Ambriel Blanc de Blancs 2010 will be released in Boston. We're very excited to have crossed the pond and to be sharing our English Sparkling with our...
NORWAY BULLETIN
Bulletin - Norway's Sommelier Association magazine - conducted a review of English Sparkling Wine and (spoiler alert) the Ambriel Blanc de Blancs 2010 came joint first. We are absolutely delighted to be sharing the top podium with Simpsons. There is am impressive...
Everything’s coming up Rosé
Life may not always be a bed of rosés, but every now and again a bottle comes along that leaves you tickled pink. The Ambriel Rosé 2014 is just such a bottle. It is released today. It’s a Sparkling Rosé over-brimming with wild strawberries and warmed raspberries...
UK to US: the special relationship in taste
The UK and the US have always had a special relationship: we may be divided by a common language but apparently our palates are in synch. Anne Krebiehl MW @AnneInVino reviewed English Sparkling Wines and encouraged her American readers to give it a go. The reason...
