Gusbourne fizz stars at Olympic event

Team GB aren't the only Brits celebrating Olympic success after sparkling wine from Gusbourne Estate in Kent took a starring role in a Games reception at Buckingham Palace.

Gusbourne’s 2007 Blanc de Blancs is also a DWWA trophy winner

Gusbourne’s Blanc de Blancs 2007 – which won a regional trophy at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards – was served to guests including HM The Queen, First Lady Michelle Obama, several heads of state and members of the Royal Family.

Gusbourne owner Andrew Weeber said he was ‘completely bowled over’ by the wine’s appearance at the Pre-Olympics Reception on 27 July, but didn’t realise it was being served until he read about it on the internet.

‘Naturally we are delighted and very proud to have been able to contribute to the wonderful effort that the entire country is making in 2012 to showcase Britain through the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics,’ he added.

‘We believe that this is a tipping-point for the English wine industry. Based on consistently good vintages, we are seeing mainstream adoption of our wines.’

Event attendees, including Prime Minister David Cameron, IOC President Jacques Rogge and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, were also served Running Duck Chenin Blanc from South Africa.

Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2007 – the 2008 vintage has recently been released – won a gold medal and trophy for UK sparkling wines over £10 at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards.

Weeber said the wine was chosen for the event ‘through the normal selection processes of the Royal Household Wine Committee’, adding that there had been a marked increase in website traffic and general enquiries since the news broke.

Written by Richard Woodard