Tillington Single Vineyard 2014

This single-vineyard cuvée comes exclusively from the Tillington vineyard, nestled in the rolling landscapes of West Sussex, in the south of England. This emblematic Nyetimber site gives rise to a distinctive sparkling wine, in which the identity of the place and the conditions of the vintage are expressed with precision.

The grapes, sourced solely from the Tillington vineyard, were picked in early October, after slow, steady ripening helped by a warm September. The available information does not consistently specify the fermentation methods or the exact ageing period for this vintage.

This wine reveals notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, ripe red apple, apricot, citrus zest, delicate flowers, pastry, praline and toasted almond. The generous, refined palate combines a creamy texture with fresh, well-defined acidity. Fine bubbles accompany a broad texture with indulgent, slightly saline accents, before a long, nuanced and persistent finish.

England, a country better known for its green landscapes and rainy climate than for viticulture, nonetheless has a booming wine industry whose reputation keeps on growing. Long regarded as a curiosity, English viticulture has established itself in recent decades as a source of very high-quality sparkling wines, even rivalling some Champagnes in blind tastings. English vineyards are mainly concentrated in the south of the country, in the counties of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey and Essex, each enjoying climatic conditions and soils particularly suited to certain grape varieties. Sussex is today England's most renowned wine region, famous for its sparkling wines made by the traditional method from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The chalk soils running through the region, a direct geological extension of the Champagne terroir, combined with an increasingly favourable climate, create ideal conditions for these demanding grapes. Kent, nicknamed the “Garden of England”, is home to some of the country's most established estates, producing both highly refined sparkling wines and still whites based on Bacchus, an aromatic grape variety that has become emblematic of the English style. Hampshire and Surrey, though more modest in terms of output, are gaining in energy and recognition, with innovative estates experimenting with traditional methods as well as international grape varieties suited to a cool climate. Essex, more continental, enjoys generous sunshine and low rainfall, which favour a slow, steady ripening of the grapes, essential to the elegance of sparkling wines. English wines, still produced in limited quantities but with remarkable attention to detail and rigour, are mainly consumed on the home market or exported in small volumes to discerning markets, making them true treasures for curious wine lovers eager to discover a new face of European viticulture. England is today a country where traditional know-how and climate innovation meet in the vineyard, offering a surprising, authentic and resolutely forward-looking wine experience.