Ever wondered why English sparkling wine keeps winning comparisons to Champagne? When Wine Enthusiast named Gusbourne’s Fifty One Degrees North the world’s number two wine—and top sparkling wine—of 2024, it wasn’t just impressive; it was historic. For the first time, an English wine cracked the prestigious top 100. If you’ve been curious about English bubbles, Gusbourne offers the perfect introduction to what cool-climate England can achieve.
From Ambitious Vision to Award-Winning Vineyards
Andrew Weeber planted Gusbourne’s first vines in 2004 with what seemed like an audacious goal: create world-class sparkling wines using only estate-grown fruit. Twenty years later, that decision defines their success. The estate sprawls across 90 hectares—60 in Appledore, Kent, and 30 near West Sussex’s Goodwood Estate. Growing every grape yourself means total quality control, though it’s also the more challenging path in an industry where buying fruit is standard practice.
Gusbourne chose predominantly Burgundian clones, accepting smaller yields in exchange for intensely flavorful fruit—essential when you’re working with England’s unpredictable weather. Their first wines, Brut Reserve 2006 and Blanc de Blancs 2006, launched in 2010 to critical praise. Since then, they’ve become the only three-time winner of the IWSC English Wine Producer of the Year. Yet for all this recognition, I’d argue their global distribution still lags behind their quality—finding these wines outside the UK requires some hunting.
Why Cool Doesn’t Mean Impossible
English winemaking presents unique challenges. Gusbourne spaces vines at 2 meters by 1 meter—far wider than Champagne’s traditional dense planting—to maximize sunlight and airflow in its damp climate. Chief Vineyard Manager Jon Pollard champions low-intervention, sustainable farming (they’re certified by Sustainable Wines of Great Britain), working with nature rather than against it.
The traditional method they use—secondary fermentation in the bottle, just like Champagne—produces something distinctly English. Extended aging on lees (dead yeast cells that add complexity) means their wines often rest far longer than required by regulations. Hand-harvesting and carefully controlled yields ensure concentration, though this quality-first philosophy limits production. When I first tasted their Blanc de Blancs, that mineral precision and citrus brightness felt refreshingly different from the richer Champagne style—more focused, almost crystalline.
Exploring the Range: From Daily Luxury to Special Occasions
Gusbourne’s core lineup includes Brut Reserve, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs (pure Chardonnay), and Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). These wines show vibrant acidity, fresh orchard fruit, and that creamy brioche character from extended lees aging. The Blanc de Blancs delivers precision and elegance, while the Blanc de Noirs offers richer, more substantial flavors.
Then there’s Fifty One Degrees North—named for England’s latitude—which represents their absolute pinnacle. Made only in exceptional vintages from their finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blocks, it’s a wine that demands attention. My only criticism? Released relatively young, you might want to cellar it if you can resist immediate gratification. Their late-disgorged range, in which wines spend extra years on lees before sediment removal, adds another layer of complexity, though these bottles remain frustratingly hard to find.
When a Master Sommelier Joins the Winemaking Team
Laura Rhys brings unusual credentials to Gusbourne. As one of roughly 300 Master Sommeliers worldwide—an elite qualification that emphasizes service and blind tasting—she spent years in Michelin-starred restaurants before joining Gusbourne in 2015. Now she participates in base wine grading and blending, bridging winemaking technique with consumer experience.
“Winemakers and sommeliers taste very differently,” she told me during our conversation for my Sparks by VinoVonk podcast. Her dual perspective shapes Gusbourne’s philosophy: create technically brilliant wines that people genuinely enjoy drinking, not just admiring. That balance matters more than many producers realize.
Watch the Full Conversation with Laura Rhys
Want to go deeper into Gusbourne’s story? In this episode of Sparks by VinoVonk, Laura Rhys and I explore the fascinating world of English sparkling wine, discuss the challenges of cool-climate viticulture, and taste through four exceptional wines: the Brut Reserve 2019, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, and Blanc de Noirs 2018. We discuss everything from vine spacing to the Master Sommelier qualification, and Laura shares insights you won’t find anywhere else.
Special thanks to Vinites Netherlands for providing the Gusbourne wines featured in this episode.
Your Invitation to Explore English Excellence
Gusbourne proves English sparkling wine deserves serious attention beyond novelty or patriotism. The cool climate, once considered a liability, now produces wines with vibrant freshness and elegant structure that warmer regions can’t replicate. For Dutch wine enthusiasts, Gusbourne wines are available through importer Vinites. Whether you’re comparing them to Champagne or discovering them on their own terms, these bottles represent where English winemaking stands today—and hint at an even more exciting tomorrow worth watching.
More information about Gusbourne: https://www.gusbourne.com/
More details about Vinites: https://www.vinites.com/
