PRESS RELEASE – November 2007

Ultimate Gastronomic Award for English Sparkling Wine

English sparkling wine specialists RidgeView have been awarded one of the highest honours in the food and drink industry by the British Academy of Gastronomes. Egon Ronay founded the epicurean organisation and each year the Academy awards the Grand Prix of Gastronomy to the person, venture or product which has done most for gastronomy in the previous 12 months. The 2007 trophy has been awarded to RidgeView Merret Sparkling Wines. This very prestigious honour is a first for English Wine and highlights the recent renaissance in the sparkling wines being produced in this country. RidgeView are in very good company as previous winners of the trophy include Jane Grigson, Albert and Michel Roux, Somerset Cheddar and Prince Charles for the revival of mutton.

The trophy was awarded to RidgeView last night at the British Academy of Gastronomes Grand Prix Dinner at the Dorchester. Founder and Director of RidgeView Mike Roberts said “It was a wonderful honour from such a prestigious group of people. It is a fantastic mark of respect for our family Company and English sparkling wines in general”. The British Academy of Gastronomes was founded by Egon Ronay in 1983.  Its aim is to encourage the improvement of the standard of food and beverages in the UK and Ireland. All members of the Academy are non-professional and exceptionally well informed gastronomes from all walks of life. 

RidgeView have been producing sparkling wine for the past 8 years. The family run company has had incredible success in such a short time with 80 medals and 16 trophies. Past accolades include the Trophy for the Best Sparkling Wine in the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2005, Best International Rosé in the French competition Rosé du Mondial 2007 and last year their wine was served for Her Majesty’s 80th Birthday banquet. Due to such fantastic successes RidgeView are only just satisfying current demand for their sparkling wine and are now preparing a five-fold increase in production.

Electronic photos and further details are available from:

Mardi Roberts – Sales & Marketing Manager: 

RidgeView Tel: 0845 345 7292   Fax: 01444 230757 

info@ridgeview.co.uk    www.ridgeviewestate.co.uk