Tasting Notes

Winery Profile Denbies, Surrey Denbies is the largest physical vineyard in the UK (based in Dorking, Surrey), although its not the UKs largest producer (that honour goes to Chapel Down, who buy in a large proportion of their grapes). This is the north Downs, so the soils are quite chalky. Currently, there are 265 acres (107 ha) of vines, which by English standards is an enormous area. Quality has improved a lot in recent years - The two biggest challenges are in the vineyard. First, frost is a big worry, particularly in the lower lying vineyard plots. Second, the yields can be very low, and Denbies cant produce enough wine to satisfy demand. They are selling everything they make, whereas 20 years ago when they started out they were almost giving the wine away.

Winery Profile Hush Heath Estate, Kent

"My aim is to make the finest Ros Sparkling Wine, comparable with the great Ros Champagnes. The passion and enthusiasm of everyone involved with Balfour Brut Ros has led to us winning a number of prestigious international awards." - Richard BalfourLynn, Producer

Based in Kent, the total vineyard area of all of the Hush Heath vineyards is 28.86 acres / 11.72 ha. 2004, the very first vintage of Balfour Brut Ros was released in 2007 to huge critical acclaim, it won a gold medal and trophy at the International Wine Challenge, the biggest blind tasting in the world. This was only the second time that an English wine has received such an accolade during the 25 year history of the competition. The 2005 vintage, released a year later was awarded a gold medal and the first trophy ever awarded to an English wine in the 2009 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Winery Profile Chapel Down, Kent Chapel Down based in Tenterden Kent is one of the UK's longest established wineries and makes for a great day out. With its enchanting walled herb garden, extensive shop, and the taste temptation of Richard Phillips' restaurant across the courtyard in addition to its vineyards and wines, the little Kentish village of Tenterden has quite a draw in its midst. Underneath because that's where it all begins there's a chalk seam akin to that found underneath Champagne which holds the key to the wines' quality and success over the years. Six acres of vines were initially planted at this spot by English wine guru Stephen Skelton MW (check out his website www.englishsparklingwine.co.uk) in the late 1970s and, after a few changes of ownership, the vineyards became the heart of the Chapel Down empire. Pioneers of the drier style of wines, they were the first to "think big" for English wine, achieving a listing on British Airways in the 1990s, for example. Now the talented viticultural and winemaking team can call on nearly 500 acres of vines, grown and managed by them and other long-term suppliers.

Winery Profile LA Mare, Jersey As well as making wine the vineyard has kitchens producing top-quality jams, marmalades, savoury condiment jellies (such as Port & Redcurrant), Mustards and Black Butter a Jersey speciality made with apples and spices, hand-stirred for many hours. If you're nearby, they have a shop in St Helier.

SPARKLING
Denbies, Greenfields, 2006 Waitrose - 22 Grapes - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier Tasting Notes A must for celebrations, this absolutely gorgeous English sparkling wine is round and elegant with stone fruit flavours and biscuity aromas. Made from the traditional champagne grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this is yet another English gem giving champagne a run for its money! Jancis Robinson

Tasted April 2010. Water white. Neutral nose. Off dry and flattering. Quite full bodied. This should not disappoint, if you can afford it. When to drink : 2009 to 2013.

Balfour Brut Rose 2006 Grapes - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier Waitrose - 34.99 Tasting Notes Malty notes, some light fresh berry fruit coming through, a gentle minerality too. The palate is rich, some yeasty notes, sweet prickles of berry fruit. Very well balanced, not too sweet on the palate, a lot of honey and some rhubarb notes with a little ginger. A good wine. Awards 2011 Decanter World Wide Awards Silver medal International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2010 - awarded silver (Best in Class) Chapel Down Vintage Brut Reserve Grapes - Reichensteiner, Rivaner, Pinot Noir Waitrose - 16.99, direct on Chapel Down Website single bottle 17.99 Tasting Notes A very approachable style of fizz with a lively refreshing mousse, good depth, crisp fruit and a palate with attractive yeast overtones. Ripe red apples and peach dominate the nose with apples and light tropical fruit on the palate.

Great as an aperitif or try serving with a fruit platter. Drink within three years of purchase. Compare with a Clairette de die (Rhone Valley) or Blanquette de Limoux (Southern France)

Pale lemon yellow in colour, the nose is slightly floral with some citrus. A wellstructured wine with hawthorn, citrus and yeasty flavours and a hint of blackcurrant leaves - Owen Elia, Winemaker. Crisp, dry sparkling wine with soft, summery aromas. Lively and fruity - Richard
Bampfield MW.

In the press

this is a sophisticated wine that should not be confused with cava or prosecco and holds its own against comparably priced champagnes, with bright, herbal, lemony, biscuit-y flavours.
Terry Kirby, The Independent on Sunday, 17 April 2011

reassuringly good. Bright and fruity, it has a rounded flavour with no rough edges.
Jamie Goode, Sunday Express, 19 September 2010

...my favourite Kentish sparkler, one of the best to be made in this green and pleasant land.
Johnathan Ray, Daily Telegraph, 29 April 2010 Awards Bronze Medal at The International Wine Challenge 2011, The Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 and The International Wine and Spirit Competition 2011

WHITE
Chapel Down Bacchus 2010 Grape- Bacchus Waitrose - 10.99, Chapel Down website single Bottle Price 10.99 Tasting Notes Bacchus has rapidly become England's most exciting white grape variety. This vintage is dry, delightfully aromatic, lightly fruity and supremely refreshing. A classic expression of Bacchus grown in the South East of England. The wine shows grapefruit, gooseberry, passionfruit, floral and mineral characters on the nose with tropical fruits, nettles and crunchy acid on the palate. Perfect for summer drinking.

A subtle nose of elderflower and green herbs. Apple, ginger and white pepper on the palate, with crisp citrus acidity. Pale, dry and refreshing.
- Owen Elias, Winemaker

Dry and suprisingly richly textured for an English white, plenty of flavour, with a lingering aftertaste reminiscent of elderflower.
- Richard Bampfield MW

Clos, La Mare, 2009 Available in Jersey only, unavailable in the UK 8.95 from estate Tasting Notes Clos has twice been served to her Majesty the Queen on Royal visits to the island. This fresh, fruity and rounded wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks under cool conditions to retain the delicate ripe fruit flavours and elegant aromas. Serve lightly chilled on its own or with seafood, chicken, vegetarian dishes, pasta and even spiced oriental dishes."

ROSE
Chapel down English Rose 2009 Grapes: Pinot Noir, Rondo, Regent Waitrose - 9.99, Chapel Down website single Bottle Price 9.99 Tasting Notes A new vintage of our delicious English Rose. Harvested from vineyards in the South East of England, this blend of varietals has aromas of red berries with strawberries and cream. The palate is light and summery, full of juicy berry flavours and finishes refreshingly dry, especially when served chilled on a perfect summer's day.

A beautifully balanced off dry rose, crisp strawberry acidity with a swirl of summer fruits and herbs on the palate. Fresh and vital summer drinking.
- Owen Elias, Winemaker

Plenty of flavour, as the rich rose colour suggests. Dry but not too dry, and still exuberantly fruity, this wine is highly refreshing and frankly, irresistibly easy to drink.
- Richard Bampfield MW