Sussex vineyard produces the world’s finest glass of bubbly

Mayfield-based English sparkling wine producer Fox & Fox has won the World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly trophy for its newly released 2015 Brut English Sparkling Wine, a special own-label wine produced for the Royal Warrant holding cheesemonger, Paxton & Whitfield.

This is the first time in the Glass of Bubbly awards’ history that the top trophy, which goes to the wine which has received the most points over two rounds of blind taste testing, has been presented to an English producer.

Since Fox & Fox’s vineyard was planted in Mayfield, East Sussex in 2004, owners Jonica and Gerard Fox have adopted a careful and imaginative attitude to viticulture and winemaking, ensuring that each vintage English sparkling wine is respectful and reflective of both the season and place.

Last year, Fox & Fox was also the first English wine producer to feature in the 2020 Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) producer of the year awards, after picking up three gold medals in the UK’s on-trade wine competition.

Fox & Fox co-founder and viticulturalist Jonica Fox said: “We really are incredibly honoured to have had one of our wines judged as the world’s finest glass of bubbly. Both Gerard and I are incredibly proud of all the wines we produce, into which we put so much thought and effort. When it came to developing a special own-label blend for Paxton & Whitfield our approach was no different. To have received recognition like this from the Glass of Bubbly Awards makes the hard work which goes into growing grapes in England’s marginal climate all worthwhile. We hope that cheese lovers across the UK will enjoy the unique, now award-winning blend, and more importantly will be able to appreciate a multitude of English wine and cheese pairings.”

The first English wine to be launched by the 200-year-old British cheesemonger, the 2015 Brut English Sparkling Wine has been produced from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in Fox & Fox’s vineyard in Mayfield, East Sussex.

Released in response to “a growing demand for a first-class English Sparkling Wine to pair with the Paxton & Whitfield’s range of exceptional artisan cheeses”, Paxton’s particularly recommend it paired with the award-winning Golden Cross goats’ milk cheese, which is also produced in East Sussex. The acidity of both the wine and cheese are perfectly in balance, while the bubbles cut through the dense fudge-like texture of the cheese.

“We are delighted to be working with the boutique English grower and award-winning producer Fox & Fox to bottle, for the first time ever, our very own, English sparkling wine,” said Suzanne Kennerley, Buying Manager at Paxton & Whitfield. “Our cheesemongers have selected this traditional method, sparkling wine for its versatile pairing with artisan cheese. It is a delightful “anytime” English fizz. Light and effervescent, this wine has notes of gentle hawthorn, citrus, white peach, and freshly baked bread.”

The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly trophy winning English Sparkling Wine (£35.00/75cl) is available online from www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk and from its three stores in Jermyn Street, London, Cale Street, London and Bath.