English Wine Week: Nyetimber Classic Cuvée
To celebrate English Wine Week we’re championing one of our newest wines, Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2009.
The pioneers of English sparkling wine, Nyetimber’s estate dates back to at least 1086, as recorded in the Domesday Book, and 900 years later the first vines were planted. Nyetimber own 100% of their vineyards, producing wine from 152 hectares across West Sussex and Hampshire, and were the first to be devoted exclusively to the ‘holy trinity of Champagne grapes’, chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir.
Chief winemaker Cherie Spriggs joined Nyetimber in 2007, moving over from Canada, and is central to every decision made.
“Having tasted it I realised that something special was happening in the sparkling wine industry in England, so I decided to make contact.”
In 2012 she controversially declared she would not be bottling a 2012 vintage at her English sparkling estate, as the quality of the grapes was not up to her high standards. She applies this same attention to detail to the staff that work for her:
“Making the best wine we can means having the best people in place. In some cases we have found them, but in many cases they have found us.”
Aged for at least three years, Classic Cuvée has fine bubbles, with vanilla and bread aromas alongside its vibrant fresh fruit character. This English sparkling wine is elegant, with a great combination of intensity, delicacy and length.
Visit the Nyetimber website to find out more about their heritage and wines, and take a look at our Wine List to find out what other new additions you can find at English’s.
