THE 2021 VINTAGE:

A cooler growing season that produced base wines with exceptional freshness and elegance. The 2021 Brut Reserve is especially mineral and refined, showing distinct cool-vintage character. Rather than the soft, plush wines of warmer years like 2018 or 2020, this vintage showcases bright, zesty fruit notes and pronounced minerality. As Master Sommelier Laura Rhys notes: “The wines aren’t the soft, plush wines of 2018 or 2020, but they will develop over time into really beautiful, elegant examples of our wines.”

ORIGIN & TERROIR:

Gusbourne Estate: 60 hectares in Kent, 30 hectares in West Sussex

Kent vineyards: Clay soils bring richer, more generous elements

Sussex vineyards: Chalk and flint soils provide brighter, fresher notes and minerality

The estate sits on a low-altitude, south-facing coastal escarpment. As recently as the 17th century, the estate was on the shores of the ancient Kentish coastline. Repeated flooding of the River Rother laid down silt soils, now six miles from the sea—this unique geological history profoundly influences the terroir.

WINEMAKING:

Harvest: Hand-selected grapes from estate vineyards

Method: Traditional method (Méthode Traditionnelle) – second fermentation in bottle

Pressing: Whole bunch pressed (using modern efficiency like forklifts to minimize time between harvest and press)

Fermentation: Temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with a small proportion fermented in old oak barrels for complexity

Lees ageing: Minimum 36 months (extended lees ageing develops complexity)

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY:

“We strive to create vintage wines that capture the spirit of our English vineyards and the character of each growing season. Our wines are allowed to mature as long as we deem necessary and are only released when deemed ready by taste alone. We produce these wines in each and every year, always seeking new and different ways to express our craft through our wines.”

TASTING NOTES:

Appearance: Bright gold/pale golden in colour with fine, delicate beads of bubbles and persistent mousse

Nose: Red fruit aromas of cherry, wild strawberry, and redcurrant. These develop into attractive fresh pastry notes with a touch of cinnamon and delicate spice. Aromas of green apple, bright lemon citrus, nectarine, and white peach. Freshly baked bread, apple pie, toffee apples. Underlying brioche notes, toasted nuts, and hints of key lime pie and elderflower. Grilled nuts and apple blossom with impressive depth.

Palate: Clean, fresh, and elegant with a bright streak of citrus fruit. The wine brims with orchard fruits—pear, red apple, green apple—alongside soft stone fruit tones of white peach, nectarine, and orange citrus. Zesty and fresh with good citrus structure, fleshed out with baked apples, pears, nuts, and oatmeal. Rich and creamy texture from extended lees ageing. Soft and approachable, yet mineral and refined. The fruit is really bright with lots of green apple, pear, and mandarin notes.

Finish: Long, refreshing, and clean with a moreish quality. Balanced and elegant with a stony, mineral edge and impressive backbone. Notes of lemon sherbet on the well-balanced finish.

STYLE:

The 2021 Brut Reserve feels fresher and more delicate than the plush, rounded 2020 vintage. It showcases cool-vintage character with vibrant fruit forward notes, yet retains Gusbourne’s house style—something a little richer and more generous even in cooler vintages. Still very vibrant and fruit-forward at release, it will develop more complexity, orchard fruit notes, and hints of spice, buttered brioche, and toasted nuts as it ages.

ABOUT GUSBOURNE:

Founded in 2004 by Andrew Weeber with an uncompromising vision to produce world-class English sparkling wine. Under Chief Winemaker Charlie Holland (only three-time winner of IWSC English Wine Producer of the Year—2013, 2015, 2017) and Master Sommelier Laura Rhys (Head of Wine Communication), Gusbourne creates wines at the pinnacle of English winemaking.

HERITAGE: The original Gusbourne Estate in Appledore, Kent dates back to 1410. The de Goosebourne family crest featured three geese and can be found in the local parish church—every bottle carries a contemporary goose crest honouring this heritage.

ACCOLADES & AWARDS:

Gold Medal Winner – Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2025

Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge (2021 vintage)

Served at prestigious establishments including L’Enclume

Rated among the top 5 Kent wines by critics

COMPARISON TO CHAMPAGNE:

Made with the same grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier) and traditional method as Champagne, with extended lees ageing creating similar tertiary, toasted brioche notes. However, Brut Reserve tends to be brighter with more vibrant fruit notes and fresher acidity than many Champagnes. Gusbourne benefits from fewer restrictions, allowing innovation while respecting tradition.

FOOD PAIRING:

Incredibly versatile—a flexible partner for contemporary and classic English food:

Aperitif: Perfect with simple canapés, olives, or simply salted crisps

Seafood: Seared scallops, smoked eels, shellfish, fresh seafood

Fish dishes: Classic fish and chips, preparations with citrus/buttery elements (nothing too rich)

Creamy dishes: Creamy risotto

Cheese: Works beautifully with a variety of cheeses

Contemporary cuisine: Pairs with modern, innovative dishes

AGEING POTENTIAL:

At point of release, very vibrant and fruit-forward. As it continues to age under cork (whether in a wine cupboard or cellar), it will develop more complexity, orchard fruit notes, and spice, buttered brioche, and toasted nut characteristics. This is an ageworthy wine that will evolve beautifully.

STYLE: Traditional Method Vintage Sparkling Wine (Méthode Traditionnelle)

PHILOSOPHY:

“Brut Reserve is our most robust expression of who we are and what we believe: Creating wines that are an authentic reflection of a time and place. We like to think of it as Keeping it Honest.”

Through years of experience, Gusbourne has built a clear understanding of flavour profiles from every corner of their vineyards and how these are affected by variations in each growing season. The goal with Brut Reserve is a wine that’s both approachable and balanced—a classic blend where Chardonnay provides structure, Pinot Noir brings body and depth, and Pinot Meunier adds floral, fruity notes.

INNOVATION & TRADITION:

While respecting traditional methods, Gusbourne isn’t bound by strict Champagne rules, allowing innovative decision-making. They can optimise winemaking (like faster press loading) and make creative choices that benefit the wine—creating something distinctly English rather than mimicking Champagne.

SUSTAINABILITY:

Low-intervention, sustainable viticulture is practiced by Vineyard Manager Jon Pollard. All grapes are sourced solely from Gusbourne vineyards.

WHY THIS WINE IS EXCEPTIONAL:

Always one of England’s most nuanced sparkling wines, Brut Reserve demonstrates Gusbourne’s mastery of blending and its deep understanding of its terroir. It proves that English sparkling wine doesn’t need to taste like Champagne to be world-class—it can confidently express its own character while rivalling the finest sparkling wines from anywhere in the world. As critics note, “English sparkling wine is now truly competing.”