Hush Heath’s vineyardThis week will go down in history as the first time an English red wine has won a gold medal in an internationally respected competition (International Wine Challenge). It was awarded to the highly acclaimed Hush Heath vineyard under the watchful eye of distinguished consultant winemaker Owen Elias.
One of the interesting things about it is that the wine was made from Pinot Meunier grapes which are a sort of stocking filler for classic champagne which usually concentrates on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with Meunier as a low volume addition.
I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a red Pinot Meunier as it is hardly ever made into a red wine. At this year‘s WineGB trade tasting there were two red meuniers available at two stalls side-by-side – Hush Heath and Simpsons – and I wasn’t sure that the both knew the other had it on offer.
The leaves of Pinot Meunier (French for miller) look as though they have been dusted with flour which is why it is often known here as Miller’s Burgundy and why Hush Heath call it Red Miller. Some experts thing that despite its outward appearance it is almost identical genetically to Pinot Noir – which makes it all the more interesting that it has beaten its relative to gold. Interestingly, Simpsons Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir 2018 got a silver medal as did Bolney Estate’s Pinot Noir 2018.
It remains to be seen whether we need an exceptional vintage like 2018 to produce more gold medals for red wine but there is clearly all to play for and this could be another milestone in the onward march of UK wines.
I visited Hush Heath’s expanding vineyard earlier this year and was very impressed. It was probably the best “vineyard experience” that I had come across thanks partly to a large decked terrace and a 200 seater tasting room with fine snacks at £20 for two.
I visited Hush Heath’s expanding vineyard earlier this year and was very impressed. It was probably the best “vineyard experience” that I had come across thanks partly to a large decked terrace and a 200 seater tasting room with fine snacks at £20 for two.
Victor Keegan 
It’s far from the “first time” for an English red to win a gold medal. At DWWA (and other competitions) they have been awarded to many Pinot Noir based wines. This award is for the first still Meunier to get a gold.
I think you missed out the very important qualifier “still”.
Technically that’s right – but do you know of a sparkling red that has scored gold?