Britannia Hotel was first established in 1870 to accommodate travelling British gentry. Lords, ladies and sporting enthusiasts who’d travelled thousands of miles to fish the region’s abundant rivers and revel in its expansive nature. It was a tiring journey and the hotel’s founder, Andreas Myhre, recognized there was a demand for a little slice of luxury where travellers could sleep, dine and drink in the comfort they were accustomed to.

Myhre placed a sign outside the hotel which read “We speak English and we serve tea at 5 o’clock” – a nod to British sensibilities. He also named the hotel Britannia. 

The connection between Britannia Hotel and its namesake has been strong ever since. The hotel has welcomed esteemed British guests over the years, including royalty, and the Afternoon Tea serving is still one of the most popular offerings.

It was therefore the natural choice for Britannia Wine Club to turn its sights towards the land where it all begun for its inaugural wine tour, a trip which happily coincides with the coronation of the new British King, his Royal Highness King Charles III.

“The Britannia Wine Club's first international tour had of course to be marked with bubbles, and with the hotel's British ancestry, England was the natural choice,” explains Henrik Dahl Jahnsen, Britannia’s former Wine Director and inaugural President of the Wine Club. “Little did I know, when the trip was planned, that these dates would coincide with such an historic occasion.” 

“Not only have we visited and tasted some of England's best producers; we also got to experience the unique and wonderful atmosphere that spreads in the country when a new regent is to be crowned. The Queen is dead, long live the King!”

The wine club visited three leading wine producers in the UK: Ridgeview in Sussex and Gusbourne and Oxney in Kent. At Gusbourne the Wine Club members had the opportunity to try several of the wine producer’s special reserves, alongside the Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2019 which has been selected by the Royal Collection Trust as the official wine of the coronation.

“We are honoured that the Royal Collection Trust has selected Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2019 to mark the celebration of the Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla,” said Luara Rhys of Gusbourne. “A specially labelled limited-edition of Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2019 will be exclusively available through the Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household.

 “We have previously worked with the Royal Collection Trust to create a special English sparkling wine in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. We’re proud that Gusbourne is enjoyed at state events held at the Royal Households, including Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.”

The royal connection at Britannia Hotel also goes beyond wine. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, visited and dined at Britannia in 1969, and the hotel has been host for many other royal visits over its illustrious 153-year history.

The coronation of the new monarch, King Charles III, took place at 11am Saturday 6^th May in Westminster Abbey in London. Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were among those invited.

The celebrations in the capital were accompanied by parties nationwide, with much pageantry adorning buildings. The Britannia Wine Club found that it provided a celebratory environment to enjoy the excellent British wines.

“English wine has become big in Norway, and it is no longer just the sparkling wines that deserve attention," said Henrik Dahl Jahnsen enthusiastically. "We also tasted still wine at a great level, especially Guinevere Chardonnay at Gusbourne and Oxney’s Organic Chardonnay, which was described as one leading critics as the “most resonant and beautiful English wine he had ever tasted”! Based on everything we've seen and tasted, I feel very confident in recommending everyone to drink more English wine, this is only going to get bigger.”

Britannia's Wine Club members receive a range of benefits including regular exclusive tastings and events at the hotel, free access to wine fairs, opportunity to purchase exclusive vintages and access to the wine trip. The club is now accepting new members for the second half of 2023 and also for 2024.

Perhaps there will be the odd glass or two of British bubbles raised in honour of the new King in Britannia in the weeks to come? If so, the Wine Club recommends a glass of English sparkling wine!