Porsche drivers to start spraying English wine on podiums

Porsche podiums are set to be awash with English sparkling wine following a new deal with Hampshire-based winery Hattingley Valley.

British winery Hattingley Valley has entered into a new partnership with Porsche Cars GB.

The Hampshire-based winery will join Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Porsche Sprint Challenge GB as part of a two-year agreement, where the wines will be used for driver podium ceremonies.

A range of both still and sparkling wines will also be offered as part of the hospitality available across race weekends.

Lee Wilford, marketing director for Porsche Cars Great Britain, described Hattingley Valley as “a British business that has rapidly established itself through a clear vision”, and said this was “something we at Porsche GB can identify with making this partnership especially attractive”.

Hattingley Valley will be supporting the time-honoured tradition of spraying sparkling wines on motor sports podiums; a tradition first established in the 1960s.

Simon Robinson, founder and owner of Hattingley Valley, added: “Our shared values make Porsche Cars GB the perfect partner for Hattingley Valley, elevating life’s moments and building a strong association with the pinnacle of motor sport. The synergies between the brands were a big factor in the decision to partner together.”

English wines continue to climb, with one expression of Pinot Gris from the UK winning a gold medal at this year’s Global Pinot Gris Masters 2023. Using grapes grown in England’s picturesque Cotswolds, it bettered a host of fine Pinot Grigios from Italy, impressing the judges when tasted blind for its combination of soft sweet fruit flavours and firm, fresh acid structure. In terms of flavour there’s plenty of creamy pear and blood orange, followed by a bitter-lemon character on the finish, giving a lingering and refreshing edge to this off-dry wine. Read more on that medal-winning wine here.