Blur star Alex James extends Britpop range with English sparkling wine
9th August 2023
In partnership with Dorset’s Furleigh Estate, Blur bassist Alex James has launched his own sparkling wine Britpop Brut, which he describes as “perfect for the good times”.
English musician Alex James has launched a new sparkling wine as part of his Britpop drinks range in partnership with Furleigh Estate.
Made from 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier grapes grown at Furleigh Estate, which is located close to where the musician grew up on the Jurassic coast, the wine is the newest addition to the Britpop drinks range that already includes a cider, launched back in 2021.
The 54-year-old said the wine has previously scored top marks in a blind taste test of sparkling wines, including some from Champagne, which made it an ideal candidate for adding to his Britpop range.
Introducing the product on Instagram, James said: “[It’s] perfect for the good times. Great at lunchtime, great at dinner time, great at breakfast time – great in the great British summertime.”
The bassist suggested drinking the wine straight up or pouring it over ice if it’s sunny, adding it works well as an aperitif accompanied by seafood, charcuterie and particularly cheese.
Crafted using the traditional method from the 2018 vintage, the sparkling wine is 11.5% ABV and is said to have a creamy, long and toasty profile. It’s available exclusively from online wine retailer Laithwaites, selling for £25 a bottle.
Commenting on the launch, James said: ‘Furleigh Estate has knocked it out the park with this one – a home-grown world-beater, perfect for good times any time of the year and any occasion.
‘I’m chuffed to bits to partner with such an immense producer and Laithwaites to celebrate the best of British and democratise access to such a beauty of an English sparkling wine for such great value.’
The musician, who has been a long-standing fan of English fizz, believes now is the perfect time to enter the industry, calling this period ‘the golden years of British winemaking’.
In addition, he is planning to extend his Britpop range with more alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the future.
His Britpop cider, made in collaboration with Westons Cider from bitter-sweet and sharp apples, 5.5% ABV fresh juice, oak-conditioned cider and was launched exclusively as part of The Midcounties Co-operative’s Best of Our Counties offering.
It was the first time the bass player branched into the drinks industry, having built up a solid reputation in artisan cheese making since 2006.
