British Beverage Company to make the new wave of highly coveted English wines accessible in Singapore
Co-founders of the British Beverage Company, Mike and Winnie Parsons, decided to take matters into their own hands and set up a new company when they became frustrated with not being able to get hold of their favourite English wines in Singapore. Realising their beloved drinks simply weren’t available on these shores, they worked every spare hour they had to create an import, distribution and retail company specializing exclusively in ‘made in England’ beverages, with wines, especially sparkling wines, being their main focus. The breakthrough moment came when two of England’s most coveted winemakers, Ridgeview and The Bolney Wine Estate, believed in their model and passion and teamed up with them.
“We are incredibly excited to be working closely with the team behind British Beverage Company on distribution across Singapore. We have identified a lot of scope and opportunity for growth of the English sparkling wine category in the Asian markets, with Singapore being a key market of focus. With the Ridgeview house style focused on purity and expression of fruit and wines that display exceptional freshness, the climate in Singapore is a perfect match for the style. We are looking forward to an exciting journey ahead." said Brandon Barnham of Ridgeview.
Their passion for English wine started back in 2016 when, like most people, they were dumbfounded by a suggestion to try a bottle in a local English pub at the foot of the South Downs in Sussex, England. However, like many people who get over their hang-ups and try it, they were hooked after the first sip. Although still lagging behind sparkling wines produced in Champagne for brand appeal, the quality and taste of what’s inside the bottle has proven itself on-par with the best and is now a somewhat badly kept secret for those sparkling wine lovers who’re in the know.
“The quality credentials of English Sparkling Wines are now firmly established, and producers are releasing ever-more ambitious (and expensive) cuvées from single vineyards or with extended lees age. Once the very promising 2018 vintage is released by the top houses in a few years, there is every chance of a maximum score being awarded. Sooner or later, it is inevitable.” Said Richard Hemming MW, Singapore based Master of Wine.
In recent times, English wine has emerged as an exciting disruptor in the fairly slow-paced wine industry, regularly scooping up top industry awards and critical acclaim and often at the expense of the old guard from Champagne. As the trophies accumulate and the message and recognition start to filter down to consumers, English wine’s once well-deserved reputation of being barely drinkable swill is slowly but surely evaporating – replaced by a community of fans and followers, including here in Singapore.
Many industry commentators credit Sussex based vineyard, Ridgeview, with putting English wine on the international map when it remarkably took the top spot for sparkling wine at the Decanter industry awards in 2010. Not only was this the first time a sparkling wine produced outside of Champagne had won this prestigious industry award, that it had been done by an English wine was scarcely believable at the time. Since then, English winemakers have gone from strength to strength and are pushing their segment to dizzying new heights.
“Champagne as a category, and many of the brands themselves, are extremely well known by consumers and have had decades to get to where they are. English sparkling wines, however, are gaining on them fast. For many a casual drinker and critic alike, the wine itself surpasses that of similarly priced French alternatives. The biggest challenge for English sparkling wine is educating consumers and building awareness for the category and leading brands.” Said Mike Parsons of the British Beverage Company.
Winnie and Mike are a married team based in Singapore. Winnie is a Singaporean and husband Mike is a PR who’s lived in Singapore since 2010. Originally from Sussex, Mike’s roots are firmly in the middle of English winemaking country and just a stone’s throw from the vineyards of Ridgeview and The Bolney Wine Estate.
The South coast of England, and especially Sussex, is the epicentre of wine production in the UK, with many of the most renowned English vineyards located there. Warmer temperatures, often said to be the result of global warming, and sandstone and chalky terroir that helps to drain water and transfer minerals, help to optimize conditions for growing high quality fruit. That said, it’s still no easy task to grow grapes in the UK and yields are often less than half of those harvested in Champagne. English winemakers have also had to innovate and forge their own viticulture techniques to create the outstanding wines they’re now responsible for.
Like Champagne, the top sparkling wines produced in the UK follow the traditional method and undergo their second fermentation in the bottle rather than a pressure tank. This produces more complex and aromatic wines compared to those produced using the Charmat method, such as Proseccos. This uncompromising focus on quality from the best winemakers is how English wines have been able to slingshot straight to the top of the sparkling wine category alongside (and often above) the best from Champagne. This is also why the price point is closely aligned to the household Champagne brands people are all familiar with, and why winning market share is now the biggest challenge faced by English wine.
The good news for English wines, and for wine lovers in Singapore, however, is that two of the very best and most desirable brands are now here to stay thanks to the British Beverage Company. With more on their way. Compared to sparkling wine produced in Champagne, the taste profile of English Sparkling wine is typically fresher and lighter thanks to its finer acidity and is distinctly more aromatic and fruitful. Not only does this profile make English wine absolutely perfect for the warm Singapore climate, it’s a flavour profile that’s unique to English wines and simply cannot be replicated anywhere else. If the British Beverage Company can blow the lid of this secret with their approach of brand building and awareness for the segment, the future of English wines Singapore could be very bright.
The English wine industry
The now thriving English wine industry has over 650 commercial vineyards and over 160 wineries. Hectarage planted in the UK has grown by 194% in the past 10 years and has quadrupled since 2010. In 2019 there was a record breaking 15.6 million bottles of wine produced in the UK, a number projected to reach 40 million by 2040. 76% of production happens in the South East, and 13% in the South West. In 2019, 69% of all wines produced in the UK were sparkling.
English wines are being exported in large quantities to key markets such as the USA, Scandinavia, China and Japan. With Singapore now catching up.
Ridgeview
Chosen for the unique geology and climate conditions, Ridgeview established its home in 1995 at the foot of the South Downs National Park in Sussex. The family company were one of the first wineries in England to focus solely on the production of sparkling wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varieties. With meticulous attention to detail and expertise in cool climate viticulture, Ridgeview are producing fruit of excellent ripeness and wonderful natural acidity - perfect for sparkling wine.
Ridgeview may have shot to fame with their top spot win at Decanter in 2010 but they haven’t slowed down since, with wins and trophies across their portfolio at all the major industry awards.
Ridgeview is famously the favoured sparkling wine of her Majesty the Queen of England. Her Majesty has served Ridgeview wine at her Diamond Jubilee and various other high-profile state banquets and occasions. Ridgeview winery also makes the Queen’s own wine made from the gapes from the Windsor Vineyard, producing about 2000 bottles per year.
In 2018 Ridgeview was awarded the English and International Winemaker of the year awards at the International Wines and Spirits Challenge (IWSC) industry awards. Another first in the historical rise of English sparkling wine.
The Bolney Wine Estate
The Bolney Wine Estate is one of England’s oldest and most beautiful vineyards. A three-generation family business led by Sam Linter, who have been focused on sustainability and conservation since 1972 when the first vines were planted. Guided by nature, the mild climate and the sandstone soil, The Bolney Estate has spent years discovering the best varieties of grapes to grow in their eco-system. The Bolney team pride themselves on working carefully and mindfully when harvesting, and never using machines to collect grapes – literally everything is done by hand. The Estate specialises in producing still wines, with a special focus on Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, as well as traditional method English sparkling wines.
The Bolney Wine Estate won the vineyard of the year award at the inaugural UK Wine Awards in 2017. Their wines have also won an enviable haul of awards at major international and local wine competitions. For example the Cuvée Rose 2016 won the trophy for Best English Sparkling Wine at The Sparkling Wine World Championships, and the 2018 Pinot Noir was awarded gold medal at the Wine GB Awards.
Bolney Estate wine was the first English wine to be served on British Airways First Class and at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, and you will also find their wines at major horse-riding events such as Ascot and Goodwood.
Bolney now flies the flag for English Wine on a global scale, exporting to the US, China, Scandinavia, Japan, Northern Europe and now Singapore.
The British Beverage Company
The British Beverage Company was founded in Singapore in February 2020. However, operations were delayed due the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting the specialist and temperature control supply chain used to the bring the wines into Singapore.
Originally set up to serve trade customers, the pandemic caused a shift in strategy that meant an equal focus on selling direct to consumers online, with free and same day delivery being available. The full portfolio of wines can be purchased directly from their website, www.britbev.com.