Sue Ray Uncorked
WineGB 2024 - 4 September 2024
Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN
WineGB’s flagship event and the largest trade and press tasting featuring 80 UK wine producers. A mouth-watering display of still and sparkling wines - from Essex in the east to Monmouthshire in the west. My highlights below.
All Angels, Enborne Vineyards Ltd, Church Farm, Enborne, West Berkshire RG20 0HD
Based in Enborne, just outside Newbury, the vineyard is located next to St. Michael and All Angels Church, from where it takes its name. Planted in 2011; first vintage was 2014. All wines produced in the Traditional Method by Winemaker, Emma Rice, at Hattingley Valley. Business Advisor, Kay Smitham DipWSET talked me through the wines.
Classic Cuvée 2014
50% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Noir, 11% Pinot Gris, 11% Pinot Meunier
6g/l residual sugar
Aged 7 years on lees, 9 months under cork.
Only the Chardonnay underwent malolactic fermentation.
Rich, golden and full bodied. This is a real fruit explosion of fresh lemon, green apple, white peach and apricots, followed by vanilla, toast, brioche and a very long finish.
Classic Cuvée 2017
60% Chardonnay, 17% Pinot Noir, 14% Pinot Gris, 9% Pinot Meunier
5.47g/l residual sugar
Aged 6 years on lees, 9 months under cork.
Pale lemon, ripe citrus, cream, sweet pastry, a hint of spice and a long finish.
Sparkling Rosé 2018
61% Rondo, 39% Pinot Gris
6g/l residual sugar
Aged 3 years on lees.
Pale salmon in colour, pronounced aromas and flavours of fresh raspberries and nectarine. Spicy and savoury with a delicate mousse.
Everflyht Vineyard, Beacon Road, Ditchling, East Sussex BN6 8XB
Founded by Ben and Sam Ellis in 2016, Everflyht is said to be “inspired by the six Martlets of the Sussex crest symbolising knowledge, adventure, and learning.” The six Marlets form the Everflyht feather which features on the label of the wines which are all produced from estate grown grapes. Produced in the Traditional Method. First wines released in July 2022. Viticulturist, Luke Spalding, made the presentation.
Brut NV
60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier
2g/l residual sugar
12% Oak fermented, aged 24 months on lees.
Fresh acidity, green apples, lemons, limes, well rounded.
Late Release Edition I
49% Chardonnay, 47% Pinot Noir, 4% Pinot Meunier
6g/l residual sugar
14% Oak fermented, aged 44 months on lees.
Full malolactic fermentation gives a much more developed, autolytic character with stone fruit flavours. Richer, riper, rounder, peaches and cream, vanilla and toast.
Henners Vineyard, Herstmonceux, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 1RJ
Established in the 2000’s, Henners Vineyard is located just 5 miles from the English Channel. Acquired by Boutinet Wines in 2018, they now form part of a portfolio of wineries across the world. Wine is made on-site, and they also work with partner growers across the South-east of England. All base wines go through malolactic fermentation and are produced in the Traditional Method. Assistant Winemaker, Sam Williams, described the wines.
Henners Rosé NV
60% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir
6.5g/l residual sugar
Aged 24 months on lees.
Really fruit forward, raspberries, cranberries and redcurrants with a hint of cream.
Henners Brut NV
40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier
7g/l residual sugar
Aged 30 months on lees.
Creamier, richer, green apple, green pear, stone fruits, brioche, toast and a long finish.
Henners Vintage 2018
70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
8g/l residual sugar
Aged 4 years on lees.
Rich, ripe, buttery, toasty, peaches, apricots, honey and complementing acidity.
Henners Blanc de Blancs 2018
100% Chardonnay
5g/l residual sugar
Aged 4 years on lees, 2 years in bottle.
Super rich and creamy, full-bodied and biscuity. Green apples, lemons, white peach and apricot. Delicate mousse and a very long finish.
Leonardslee Family Vineyards, Hammerpond Road, Mannings Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PG
https://leonardsleefamilyvineyards.com/
Penny Streeter OBE is the driving force behind Leonardslee Family Vineyards. Having owned/run Benguela Cove Wine Estate in South Africa, Penny acquired Leonardslee in 2016. First vines were planted in 2017, and the first harvest was the 2020 Blanc de Blancs. The swallow on the wine label represents Penny’s migration from South Africa to the UK and four smaller swallows, on the reverse, depict Penny’s four children. The South African influence is further enhanced by adding 10% Pinotage to the Brut Rosé. Winemaker, Johann Fourie, who also manages Penny’s wine estate in South Africa, was on hand to discuss the wines.
Blanc de Blancs 2020
100% Chardonnay
6g/l residual sugar
Aged 36 months on lees. 25% oak barrels, no MLF.
Rich, ripe citrus, pear, peach, vanilla and toast.
Brut Reserve 2021
70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier
7.5g/l residual sugar
Full malolactic fermentation, followed by 30 months on lees.
Crisp acidity, red and green apple, white peach, cream, brioche and a fine mousse.
Brut Rosé 2021
56% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinotage
9g/l residual sugar
Full malolactic fermentation, followed by 30 months on lees.
Very fruity, fresh strawberries, raspberries, red grapefruit and cream.
Montgomery Vineyard, Montgomery, Powys, Wales SY15 6LR
https://www.montgomeryvineyard.co.uk/
The Montgomery Vineyard estate was purchased by the Lennard family in 1970 as a country retreat. It was only recently - in 2014 - that Woody Lennard planted 3800 vines covering an area of approximately 3 acres. Grapes cultivated on the estate include Solaris, Rondo, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir Précoce and Bacchus. The sparkling wines are produced in the Traditional Method and first commercial vintage was in 2016.
Montgomery Sparkling Seyval Blanc 2021
100% Seyval Blanc
9.5g/l residual sugar
Fresh, green, grassy, green pear, green apple and lemon.
Montgomery Vineyard Sparkling Rosé 2021
85% Seyval Blanc, 15% Pinot Noir Précoce
9.5g/l residual sugar
Aged 18 months on lees.
Red apple, ripe citrus, fresh raspberry, cranberries and redcurrants.
Solaris 2023
100% Solaris (hybrid of Riesling)
9.5g/l residual sugar
Petrol, pear drops and yellow grapefruit. Well-rounded with lively acidity.
Silverhand Estate, Luddesdown Road, Kent, DA13 0XE
These guys are relatively new to the wonderful world of English Sparkling Wine. Located just west of Rochester, Kent, this is the largest single organic vineyard in the UK. Planted in 2018, they cover an area of c. 700 acres. First vintage was 2022. Approaching things slightly differently, their Silver Reign range is produced by the Charmat method, whereby secondary fermentation takes place in a sealed tank, rather than in bottle. Same process that produces Prosecco. As a cheaper production method, the Silver Reign wines offer a very competitive price point as an introduction into English Sparkling Wines. Residual sugar levels are also slightly higher on this range, maybe acting as a hook for the Prosecco market.
Silver Reign Brut NV
62% Chardonnay, 19% Pinot Noir, 19% Pinot Meunier
12g/l residual sugar
Green pear, elderflower, white flowers and apricot. Gentle mousse and relatively short finish. A touch on the sweeter side, which Prosecco drinkers should love.
Silver Reign Organic Rosé NV
100% Pinot Noir
10g/l residual sugar
Youthful, fruity and bright, wild strawberries and fresh raspberries. Well-balanced fruit and acidity.
Silverhand Classic Brut NV
60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
5g/l residual sugar
Traditional Method, aged 2 years on lees.
Drier, richer and fuller bodied. Fresh acidity, lemons, green apple, peach and apricot with a hint of honeysuckle. Creamy mousse and lightly toasted.
Silverhand Blanc de Blancs 2018
100% Chardonnay
0g/l residual sugar
Traditional Method, aged 5 years on lees.
More linear in style. Great typicity, zesty acidity, delicate mousse, lemons, white peach, vanilla and brioche.
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