Simon Rogan releases rosé

Simon Rogan, the restaurateur behind the likes of L’Enclume and Aulis, has partnered with Wiston Estate in West Sussex to launch an English sparkling rosé.

The Simon Rogan x Wiston Sparkling Rosé is a classic Champagne-style blend of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. A non-vintage traditional method sparkling, it does contain a some reserve wines from Wiston Estate going back to 2009.

Rogan explained to db what prompted the partnership with the winery: “Wiston is located in West Sussex, which isn’t too far from where I grew up [Hampshire], so I’ve got a fondness for and connection to the area. We love the fact it’s a family business, that they share similar ethical practices to us, and most importantly, they produce some seriously good wine. It felt like a really good fit. It’s been such a joy working alongside them, and we’ve learnt a lot throughout the process.”

The Goring family planted vines on its historic estate in 2006. Husband and wife Richard and Kirsty Goring took over its management from Richard’s parents, Harry and Pip, in 2011.

As far as British wine has come in recent decades, it is still a challenge to persuade many consumers that it is not just a one-time novelty purchase, but a serious gastronomic tipple.

“There’s certainly still work to do in terms of changing the perception of when it’s best to drink sparkling wine, and yes, it can work throughout a whole meal, from the snacks to the dessert, which is something we often communicate with our guests dining in the restaurants and for enquiries for our Home by Simon Rogan ‘at home’ boxes,” said Rogan.

As for what he would pair with the wine he has given his name to, Rogan suggested: “Salt-baked beetroots with some nuts and goat’s curd or maybe our Dukkah spiced lamb belly ribs from our BBQ range.”

Although the Simon Rogan x Wiston Sparkling Rosé will be available in Rogan’s UK restaurants from the middle of this week (which is also English Wine Week), visitors to his international restaurants, such as Aulus Phuket and Roganic Hong Kong, may have to wait a little longer.

“It will be very special for our guests on the other side of the world to try our collaboration bottle, but there is a bit of planning required to get it sent to Hong Kong and Thailand,” he said.

The good news for visitors to Rogan’s two-Michelin-starred ION Harbour in Valletta is that a small number of bottles are on the way to the Med: “We’ve already sent an allocation to Malta, which should be arriving in no time, and we can’t wait to start serving it in our UK restaurants during English Wine Week.”

As well as Rogan’s restaurants, the Simon Rogan x Wiston Sparkling Rosé can also be purchased from Wiston Estate’s website, where it has an RRP of £42.

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