In a special tribute to Her Majesty The Queen to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, we have unveiled an exclusive, limited edition sparkling apple wine.

Thatchers Platinum Reserve (11.5% abv) has been made with 100% English apples here at our mill in Somerset, using the Traditional Method for sparkling wine.

The limited-edition celebratory vintage will be available for sale at The Royal Bath and West Show over the Bank Holiday, as well as in our own Cider Shop at Myrtle Farm, Sandford in the run up to the public holiday.

With its light, golden hues and gentle effervescence, Thatchers Platinum Reserve is a very fitting drink to toast Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne. It has a combination of delicacy, intensity and length that comes from its three gentle years in the making. Gathered from our stunning English orchards, the sweetness of the Katy and Jonagold apples combine with the soft tannins of our cidermaking favourite Vilberie, to add a refreshing sweetness finished with complex bittersweet notes to this bottle-fermented, sparkling apple wine.

Thatchers head cider maker Richard Johnson explains why this is an extra special vintage, “The apples were all harvested three years ago from our beautiful orchards, when they were freshly pressed, blended and bottle-fermented using the traditional method. After being gently aged for two years, we disgorged the yeast in the age-old tradition before corking. Then the sparkling apple wine has had a further year to slowly mature and develop its appley aromas and distinctive flavour.”

“So for lovers of our ciders, this is definitely an extra special sparkling vintage to celebrate an extra special occasion,” he says.

Only 200 bottles of Thatchers Platinum Reserve have been produced. It costs £40 for the 75cl bottle.