THE STORY OF VERRE ANGLAIS
Verre Anglais provides an answer to the age-old debate as to whether it was the French or the English who invented Champagne.
Dating back to the 16th Century, the French were producing wine and shipping it to England, but the bottles would often explode. The English are known to have then invented a bottle strong enough to contain the sparkling wine, referred to as Verre Anglais (English Glass).
Reportedly, the English were also the first to document the method of adding sugar and yeast to make the wine sparkle. The French then later perfected this method to develop the taste to be something more along the lines of the Champagne we know and love today.
So, Verre Anglais provides the fundamental element in the development of Champagne that the English can rightfully lay claim to and what makes it so different to any other sparkling wine. It has a whole lot of history at its heart.
Watch the short video below to learn more.
ABOUT
Verre Anglais is a top quality Cremant de Bourgogne, produced in very limited quantities in Chablis, France.
The late, great Gary Rhodes was one of the founding partners.
It’s a blanc de noir, made with 100 per cent Pinot Noir grapes. Produced in the traditional Champagne method and spending almost two years on the lees, it has a very distinctive flavour. Clean, fresh and full of fruit yet with some additional secondary flavours adding complexity and beautiful balance.
The name ‘Verre Anglais’ comes from the contribution the English made to creation of Champagne, which is the bottle strong enough to contain sparkling wine.
It is very much a coming together of both French and English efforts.
TASTING NOTES
A superb quality Cremant de Bourgogne, brut, blanc de noir, made with 100 per cent Pinot Noir grapes and one of just a few sparkling wines to come out of Chablis, France.
It has a delightful pale lemon colour with the tiniest hint of blush and delicate bubbles. On the nose, there are beautiful aromas of crisp apple and grapefruit.
The palate has the characteristic richness of Pinot Noir with brilliant complexity. A wonderful fruit intensity makes it exceptionally versatile – suitable for drinking alone, yet robust enough to pair with food.
The excellent structure of this sparkling wine suggests it will continue to evolve well over time.
STOCKISTS
T. 020 7887 2668
E. enquiries@verreanglais.com
Verre Anglais has been produced in very limited numbers and currently available online, via Alchemy Wines.
It will soon be available in a number of exclusive bars, restaurants, hotels and members clubs. Further details will follow shortly. It is also available exclusively in Gary Rhodes’ restaurant, W1, in Dubai.
Thank you for your interest in this unique sparkling wine, which has been 300 or so years in the making. Once you try it, we very much hope you agree with dear Gary Rhodes, that “it deserves to be shared with the world”.