Ridgeview Blanc de Blancs 2016

Ridgeview established their home in 1995 in rural Sussex on the edge of the beautiful South Downs. Since then, the family business has been making wines focused on exceptional quality from vine to glass. They were one of the first wineries in England to focus solely on the production of sparkling wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varieties. With meticulous attention to detail and expertise in cool climate viticulture, they are producing fruit of excellent ripeness and wonderful natural acidity – perfect for sparkling wine.

Winemaking: Handpicked followed by whole bunch pressing. Fermented in stainless steel tanks before secondary bottle fermentation. The best parcels of Ridgeview's single home estate Chardonnay are hand selected by the Head Winemaker. Aged for a minimum of 36 months on lees, in purposed built underground cellars before release.

Weather in 2016: Cool start and mixed weather at flowering meant smaller than average yields. Long growing season with beautiful ripening. Intensified fruit flavours balanced with near perfect sugar and acidity levels.

Technical Information:
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Lees Ageing: 4 years
Dosage: 8 g/l
Disgorged: 24th of November 2021
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: A delicate pale gold with silvery highlights. Lemon zest notes with peach, lychee and pineapple. The palette is balanced by honey, hazelnut and toasted brioche from cellar ageing. Saline minerality lingers on an extremly long, finely-balanced finish.

Watch Richard Bampfield MW & Nick's video tasting review of this English Sparkling here.