Raimes Classic Brut English Sparkling, Hampshire

Description

Raimes Classic Brut was first released in 2017, it is their second cuvee and joins the Raimes Sparkling Blanc de Noirs as one of two Hampshire sparkling wine produced from this vineyard. Both wines are released as vintage wines.

The grapes for Raimes Sparkling wines are grown on the chalky soils of the South Downs near the village of Tichborne, close to Alresford. Augusta and Robert Raimes are the fifth generations of the family to farm the fields of Grange Farm now flourishing with vines. Together with land farmed on the historic Tichborne Estate the farm stretches from the protected and ecologically diverse water meadows of the river Itchen to the grassy rolling hills of the South Downs near Winchester. This is essentially the same lump of chalk which runs from the soils of Champagne, under the channel, to the white cliffs of Dover, through Kent and Sussex and into Hampshire. The vineyards are all located on south facing slopes. This aspect, combined with the soil, weather etc. (the “terroir”) produces wines with excellent minerality, balance, good acidity and complexity. It provides the perfect soil for vineyards for growing grapes for sparkling wines. The vines were planted on the day of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s marriage in April 2011. Raimes English Sparkling is very much a family affair in the vineyard, however the wine is made at Hattingley Valley Winery, a stones throw (-ish) away at Lower Yield. 

Raimes Classic Brut is a classic Champenoise three way blend of 51% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier. The wine is fermented in the traditional method. A portion of the blend is barrel fermented. 28 months on lees, disgorged date: 09 August 2017 and dosage 9g/L.

Raimes Classic Brut is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Read more about Raimes.