Bolney Estate Bubbly NV

Bolney Wine Estate could quite easily have been the location of a Beatrix Potter novel, so biologically diverse and rich in wildlife are their vineyards. We recommend you go visit Bolney at night, that's when the vineyards really come to life. Throughout the fields you can see colonies of rabbits, ostentations of pheasants and cetes of badgers sitting around toadstools arguing the same points all oenophiles do after a couple of glasses (what's the collective noun of oenophiles? We're going with a pomposity of oenophiles…); "tell me Gary, go on, when was the last time you ate a crushed gooseberry on wet slate?" We can't criticise these little critters however; given the environment they were raised in, with access to such delicious grapes, they were bound to become passionate about the subject. Although they might occasionally nit-pick over the nuances, they all agree that that the Bolney Bubbly is wonderful!

Bolney Wine Estate is one of the longest established English vineyards and has been making award-winning English wines at its Sussex estate for over 35 years. The sandstone soils are some of the best in the country, providing the ideal setting to grow vines. The Bolney Wine Estate is a haven for wildlife and through its traditional production methods and cultural practices, avidly promotes and maintains soil health, fertility and stability in its vineyards.

The hand-picked, Reichenstiener, Müller-Thurgau and Chardonnay were whole-bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks for around 14 days prior to malolactic fermentation. A varietal yeast was used for the first ferment, then the 18-2007 Champagne yeast for the second (in bottle). The wine aged on the lees for a minimum of 12 months prior to disgorgement. The resultant sparkling is delightfully floral and brioche-y, that combine with zesty citrus fruit, honeysuckle and elderflower, finishing with just a hint of sweetness.