Charmat Rosé 2020

Dreams, belief, passion 

Ben and Hannah have always enjoyed wine together. They decided to pursue this interest in 2007 by quitting their jobs and travelling to some of the most famous winemaking regions in the world.

Upon returning to the UK, this interest, for Ben, became a desire to understand more deeply how to make wine. He moved to Sussex with Hannah and enrolled into a 3 year degree in Oenology and Viticulture at Plumpton College. This greatly influenced his approach to wine, giving him a respect for and fascination of the science of winemaking.

After graduating from college with a first-class degree and achieving awards for ‘Best research project’ and ‘Top winemaking student’, they moved to Beaujolais, France, where Ben had secured his first winemaking post. Here, Ben learnt how to ‘throw out the rule book’ and experienced a more intuitive and creative side to winemaking.  Hannah supported him throughout this, teaching English to young French children, and gave birth to their first daughter, Rosie. After two years it was time to return home and begin a new life making wine in England. 

A chance email was sent to local farmer and entrepreneur, Adrian Hipwell, enquiring if he might know of any small plots of land for sale in south Norfolk or Suffolk. This area was of interest due to it being one of the driest and sunniest regions of the UK. Ben knew that there were pockets of suitable soil for a vineyard in that area but didn’t know that Adrian currently farmed one of them.

A meeting over the Christmas holidays ensued and immediately the potential was clear. Detailed site analysis followed to confirm initial hopes that the plot was suitable for grapevines and then Flint Vineyard was born. 

Bottle notes

The Charmat method involves a secondary fermentation in tank rather than bottle, similar to the method used in Prosecco. Secondary fermentation under pressure, creates carbon dioxide, which dissolves into the wine and gives it a natural fizz.  By fermenting in tank rather than bottle and releasing the wine earlier, a more fruit-driven and approachable style of wine is produced. 

The wine is a blend of four aromatic German grape varieties: Solaris, Reichenstiner, Cabernet Cortis and Rondo. They are all pressed very gently immediately after picking and fermented with aromatic yeast strains. A small portion of the wine is then aged in oak barrels and then Ben stirs the lees (yeast sediment) every week to encourage texture and complexity not normally found in Prosecco style wines.

The 2020 Charmat has a vibrant pink colour and is bursting with red summer fruits. It has a crisp, crunchy palate that is both easy drinking yet structured and serious enough to make a fine apéritif. Sassy, summery and fun. We hope you enjoy it! 

Details

ALCOHOL: 12% VOL

Volume: 75CL

RESIDUAL SUGAR: <10 g/L

TITRATABLE ACIDITY: 9.4 g/L