PRESS RELEASE - 21st April 2005

“A Corker of a problem solved”

English award-winning sparkling wine specialists RidgeView are demonstrating how seriously they are taking the problem of TCA the cause of cork taint, despite the fact that in just five years of sales they have had less than a handful of corked wines. With the release of Merret Grosvenor Blanc de Blancs 2001 RidgeView are trialling Champagne’s latest technology in wine preservation. Although still using a top grade natural cork, thus maintaining the appearance, texture and sound of the traditional Champagne cork; it is fitted with a separate SILCON disk 'Le Préserveur'. The disk protects the wine from any possible unpleasant cork taint, while still letting the wine breath normally. When the cork is compressed into the bottle 'Le Préserveur' retains its original size forming the perfect seal between the wine and the cork ensuring optimum preservation of the wine.

Independent tests using corks deliberately contaminated with TCA showed that none of the bottles fitted with the 'Le Préserveur' displayed any signs of cork taint. Ridgeview’s winemakers visited several smaller Champagne Houses, each of whom after trials are so pleased that they now use 'Le Préserveur' for all their Champagnes. This new technology is substantially more expensive but when statistics state that between 2% to 5% of wines are corked, RidgeView feels that it is an expense worth taking.

There will be previews of Merret Grosvenor 2001 and its innovative new cork at the English Wine Producers Annual Tasting at the Great Eastern Hotel London this Tuesday 26th of April. Contact Julia Trustram Eve on 01536 772264 for details. Merret Grosvenor 2001 and other wines will be on promotion during English Wine Week 28th May/ 5th June when RidgeView is hosting various tastings, events and tours. See www.englishwineweek.com

RidgeView Estate produces between 40,000 – 50,000 bottles a year; specialising in the classic French Champagne grape varieties. A family company, Mike and Christine Roberts set up RidgeView in 1994, Son Simon partners Mike as Wine Makers, his Australian born wife Mardi co-ordinates Marketing and daughter Tamara is a General Manager. RidgeView’s Merret wines are named as a tribute to Englishman Christopher Merret who first recorded sparkling wine in London in the 1600’s. In just five years RidgeView have won 44 medals and 12 trophies in International and National Competitions; two Silver medals in France in 2004. RidgeView is open seven days a week 11am to 4.30pm for sales and tastings. RidgeView’s wines can also be found at Waitrose, Sunday Times Wine Club, Wine Society and other speciality resellers.

more details/electronic photos:

Contact Mardi Roberts: RidgeView Wine Estate, Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling Common, Sussex BN6 8TP

Tel: 01444 241441 Fax: 01444 230757 ridgeviewestate@aol.com www.ridgeview.co.uk