Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
75cl * 12.5% ABV * Sussex, England
Bolney Estate first planted vines in 1972 in a sheltered south-facing spot on the South Downs making them one of the pioneers of the English wine making scene. It is now run by three generations of the same family, has a brand new and state-of-the-art winery (which we were proud to see being opened by the Duchess of Cornwall a few years ago) and produces some of England's finest wines - as epitomised by this Pinot Noir dominated blend from their Foxhole Vineyard.
The wine is a typically Champagne-esq blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay. The fruit is hand-picked, cool fermented and aged on the lees in bottle for two years before disgorgement. The result of this hard work is a ‘méthode traditionelle’ sparkling wine (ie made in the same way as Champagne) with complex aromas of apple and stone fruits combined with biscuity brioche notes.
The Foxhole Vineyard Brut Reserve was specially blended for the Vindependent’s buying group and as such is exclusive to a small group of the UK’s finest independent wine merchants.
Serve at 8˚C to 10˚C with salmon, smoked mackerel pate, semi hard cheeses.