Description
Like Nyetimber, Gusbourne has been at the forefront of the English wine quality revolution for several decades. From their vineyards in Kent and West Sussex, this Brut Reserve is a classic, extremely elegant and dry with a fine, mouthwatering palate. Known for ageing their wines for a significant period of time, this tastes spring-fresh and with years of ageing ahead, but the 26 months spent on fermentation lees is shown in the delicious depth of flavour and fascinating complexity as you enjoy sip after sip. It’s also great seafood wine, or to impress at a party, and with some extremely smart packaging, looks the part too!
TASTING NOTE: This English sparkling has a beautiful pale, lemon-gold colour in the glass with fine bubbles. On the nose: it shows bright lemon and tangerine aromas alongside vibrant green apple and ripe peach. On the palate: further citrus, particularly lemon and lemon pie, with baked apple and a slight hazelnut flavour. It has the typically high, tangy acidity of good English Sparkling, matched by medium body and excellent concentration of flavour, and smooth texture. Well-balanced with a mouthwateringly long, refreshing citrus finish.
FOOD PAIRING, STORING AND SERVICE: This sparkling is a perfect partner for fresh fish, shellfish and lighter meat dishes, as recommended by Gusbourne. Enjoy it alongside a creamy fish and leek pie, or try it with roast chicken and lemon or a zesty chicken and lemon orzo to match its citrus notes. For a vegetarian option, a goat’s cheese and caramelised red onion tartlet works wonderfully, the acidity balancing the creamy cheese and sweet onion. Alternatively, a silky, creamy pasta dish, like a classic spaghetti carbonara, complements the wine’s rounded texture and subtle baked pastry character. Serve at 9-10 degrees. Drink now or keep till 2029.
ABOUT: Gusbourne was founded in 1410 by John de Goosebourne; John’s family crest is on every Gusbourne bottle, depicting three geese. The vineyard was founded recently, by Andrew Weeber, in 2004, whose first vintage (2006) was released in 2010. There are now 90 hectares of vines: 60 in Appledore, Kent and 30 by the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex. Gusbourne make excellent wines with longer ageing in the cellar than normal. A lovely depth of flavour results. Visit their Kent winery for an excellent tour, tasting and (with booking) lunch platter!
