Copper in colour, the 2015 Blanc de Noirs from Rathfinny in Sussex is a magical expression of the style and another exceptional English sparkling wine.
The nose features rich aromas of bruised apple, strawberry, brioche and orange peel. The palate is broad, mouth-filling and adds peach and nectarine (Molly’s notes) to the call sheet.
A wine I’d love to pitch against a French equivalent. — 3 years ago
C&B tasting with Oz Clarke — 3 years ago
So delicious. Acidic and a little rich. Yum yum good. — a year ago
Super porter from one of the long standing Sussex brewer.
A 1859 recipe that provides a smooth drink with lots of roasted malt and a balance of hops giving a little fruit, and sugar for a full-bodied beer. — 2 years ago
By some measure the most impressive and unique English sparkling wine I’ve tried to date, Dermot Sugrue’s 2014 ‘Trouble With Dreams’ is a fabulous standard-bearer for the potential of English wine, and for the terroir of the South Downs in particular.
Deep golden in colour, the wine has medium effervescence and opens with gorgeous aromas of almonds, pastry, burnt butter, pear and red apples. The palate is profoundly complex, with a gorgeous display of acidity on entry that transforms to a broad, nutty mid-palate and a creamy, very lengthy finish.
Production is tiny - Dermot Sugrue’s main focus is at Wiston, where the vineyards are far bigger - and hence TWD retails for around £45, which can be considered at the pricier end of the spectrum for English sparkling. Nonetheless this represents superb value in my opinion and is a wine that should continue to age well. — 3 years ago
This is a punchy 6.8% but very moreish ale. Brewed for Easter, as the marketing says harking back to the strong ales brewed by the monks for feast days, this is a strong, dark amber, full bodied ale. It is malty with a good sweetness that balances the sweet malty sugars with the aroma of hops (Fuggle, Pilgrim, Cascade and Golding), and for me, a deep caramel aroma too.
It is is brewed with the local Sussex spring water Harvey's has used for over two centuries. — 2 years ago
Lovely soft mousseux, pinot noir very noticeable and a sharp green fruit taste. — 3 years ago
Meadow Linder
I'm not a sparkling wine fan but this was delicious. Blanc de Blanc. — a year ago