The Great British Vineyards Guide

Battle of our Bacchus Wines!

Our signature Bacchus grape is one of the first grapes we ever planted in 2007 and this month, we wanted to explore the differences between our Bacchus 2023 and Orpheus Bacchus 2023 to see which one pairs better with your summer plans.

England's signature aromatic grape, Bacchus, came to us from Germany. It was first developed in the Palatinate region in the 1930s as a cross between Silvaner and Riesling with Müller-Thurgau grapes.

It does well in a cool climate and is aptly named for the Roman god of wine. This harkens back to the Roman roots of our wine industry as the Romans first brought vines to British shores as early as 43 BC when the conquest of Great Britain began.

According to Roman law, every citizen and slave had a right to wine, and boy did those Romans enjoy a nice cup or two from time to time.

While our Bacchus wines are comprised of the same grape, they have very unique flavours. In fact, Jancis Robinson recommended both wines with a score of 16.5 out of 20 for each. If you want to try them both, why not try a Tour and Tasting here at the vineyard this summer and see if you can spot the difference?

We are now welcoming guests 7 days a week but if you can't visit us in person, why not ship your summer in a glass straight to your door? Read on to see our take on our two Bacchus wines and how to pair them.

As always, we offer complimentary shipping on all orders over £150.

The Original: Bacchus

The Bacchus 2023 is the quintessential English expression of a very floral and aromatic variety. Notes of elderflower and fresh cut grass shine brightly on the nose. There is a gentle acidity and notes of gooseberry that linger long after your first sip. This crisp dry wine is vibrant and complex, offering subtle notes of lime leaf & passionfruit.

This approachable wine is mouth-watering and exuberant and pairs well with fresh oysters, goat's cheese or any coastal cuisine. It is the perfect complement to a sunny day on our terrace overlooking our vines.

Orpheus Bacchus: Rich & Refined

This wine is a foodies-delight as it pairs alongside rich and spiced dishes such as Thai green curry, crab cakes or stuffed bell peppers.

This IWSC Silver Medal Winner, on the other hand, offers a richer and deeper expression of the Bacchus grape and is only made in our best years. Its name "Orpheus" reflects the Roman roots of our region as the Orpheus Roman mosaic sits just a couple of miles from our vineyard.

This limited-edition wine is powerful with ripe flavours, focussed acidity and a unique structure. This dry white has impeccable balance and finesse.

On the nose, we get rich notes of elderflower and jasmine and a subtle minerality. On the palate, we get hints of lemon peel and fennel to complement its creamy texture, reflecting the portion of barrel-fermented grapes. It has a nice weight to it, making it an ideal white wine for red wine drinkers.

How We Paired them

Sarah is the oil that makes Woodchester Valley run, from booking tours to making sure everything runs smoothly. This past sunny weekend, she paired our Bacchus with a fresh asparagus, feta and orzo salad.

She first sourced some British asparagus at her local farm shop, leading to this match made in Heaven. The richness of the feta, the slight saltiness of the pancetta and the added hint of lemon zest really suited the freshness and acidity of this fantastic wine.

*Try your own Woodchester pairing and tag us in your photos on social media for your chance to win a bottle of Bacchus!

*Try your own Woodchester pairing and tag us in your photos on social media for your chance to win a bottle of Orpheus Bacchus!

Lisa, our Housekeeping Supervisor, ensures that every stay is 5-Stars and beyond for our guests. She paired our Orpheus Bacchus with pan-seared scallops on fragrant jasmine rice and a Thai-inspired sauce that truly delighted the palate.

It was a beautiful pairing as the wine was perfectly chilled and complimented the dish so well. With creamy notes of citrus and just the merest hint of acidity, this award-winning wine was a really pleasant surprise and would pair with any of your summer fish dishes.