NORFOLK WINE CARRIES OFF MEDAL IN PRESTIGIOUS WINE AWARDS
![John and Bridget Hemmant celebrate winning the Wine GB Award](/assets/article-images/_resampled/SetWidth400-John-and-Bridget-Hemmant-celebrate-winning-the-Wine-GB-Award.jpg)
A Norfolk vineyard has carried off a medal in the prestigious WineGB Awards, the major competition for British wines and wine producers.
Chet Valley Vineyard at Bergh Apton was awarded a Bronze Medal for its House of Hemmant Blanc de Blancs 2021, a ‘Champagne Method’ sparkling wine made entirely from Chardonnay grapes – the wine’s very first vintage.
The accolade was announced at a ceremony yesterday (Friday 7th July) at Drapers’ Hall in London, following a rigorous judging process chaired by renowned wine writer Oz Clarke and Master of Wine Susie Barrie.
The winning fizz, made in the traditional method using secondary fermentation in the bottle, exactly the same way as Champagne is made, is the first vintage of the House of Hemmant Blancs de Blancs. It is an unoaked wine with flavours of apples, pear and citrus.
John Hemmant, owner and winemaker at Chet Valley Vineyard, said, “We are delighted that our very first vintage of our premium sparkling wine has been recognised in the most important awards for English wine.
“We worked for a very long time to perfect all aspects of making this wine, and to receive such an accolade at the first time of asking is a huge achievement.”
The award-winning House of Hemmant Blanc de Blancs is available to buy online at www.chetvineyard.co.uk, as well as at several local retailers including Jarrold, Bakers & Larners and The Norfolk Deli.