Wiston Estate Winery

Cuvée Brut South Downs Chardonnay Blend

8.844 ratings
8.812 pro ratings
England
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa
Top Notes For
Will Stanley

Without hesitation one of the great sparkling wines I’ve had in recent years, including those of Champagne, Wiston Estate’s flagship 2015 Cuvée Brut is a simply outstanding wine in a wholly different league to their NV Brut.

Deep coloured and intensely aromatic from the get-go, the wine is medium to full bodied with an incredibly complex array of both flavour and texture on the palate. The pattern of acidity (in this case, truly like a lime has been juiced at the back of your mouth) is very British, but the autolysis lends so much more to this wine and sets it aside from much of the English fizz I’ve tried to date.

To know that this wine was produced from just nine year-old vines is so, so exciting. Along with the estate’s 2014 Cuvée Rosé, this is a benchmark for English wine. Hats off to winemaker Dermot Sugrue.

Without hesitation one of the great sparkling wines I’ve had in recent years, including those of Champagne, Wiston Estate’s flagship 2015 Cuvée Brut is a simply outstanding wine in a wholly different league to their NV Brut.

Deep coloured and intensely aromatic from the get-go, the wine is medium to full bodied with an incredibly complex array of both flavour and texture on the palate. The pattern of acidity (in this case, truly like a lime has been juiced at the back of your mouth) is very British, but the autolysis lends so much more to this wine and sets it aside from much of the English fizz I’ve tried to date.

To know that this wine was produced from just nine year-old vines is so, so exciting. Along with the estate’s 2014 Cuvée Rosé, this is a benchmark for English wine. Hats off to winemaker Dermot Sugrue.

Jul 10th, 2021
Will Stanley

My second time trying Wiston Estate’s NV, this time in a new, more stylish bottle. Based (I’m fairly sure) on the 2018 vintage, my experience this time round is largely similar in my conclusion that this is a high quality, great value English sparkling wine that sits at the entry level of Wiston’s portfolio.

The nose takes some coaxing, gradually revealing tight-knit aromas of apple tart and burnt butter.

The palate is taut, very precise with incredible purity of fruit, a medley of Granny Smith apple, lemon sherbet and lime juice. The acidity is notably high in this bracing wine that I find goes extremely well with seafood pasta.

My second time trying Wiston Estate’s NV, this time in a new, more stylish bottle. Based (I’m fairly sure) on the 2018 vintage, my experience this time round is largely similar in my conclusion that this is a high quality, great value English sparkling wine that sits at the entry level of Wiston’s portfolio.

The nose takes some coaxing, gradually revealing tight-knit aromas of apple tart and burnt butter.

The palate is taut, very precise with incredible purity of fruit, a medley of Granny Smith apple, lemon sherbet and lime juice. The acidity is notably high in this bracing wine that I find goes extremely well with seafood pasta.

Jun 20th, 2021
Will Stanley

Rich and multi-layered, this English sparkling shows all the hallmarks of the finest NV champagne with toasted brioche, baked apple and lemon zest cut along a lean, energetic profile that’s incredibly enjoyable. Medium bodied with moderate acidity, it finishes long and benefits from some time in the glass. Should age quite nicely for the next few years. Excellent stuff.

Rich and multi-layered, this English sparkling shows all the hallmarks of the finest NV champagne with toasted brioche, baked apple and lemon zest cut along a lean, energetic profile that’s incredibly enjoyable. Medium bodied with moderate acidity, it finishes long and benefits from some time in the glass. Should age quite nicely for the next few years. Excellent stuff.

Jul 22nd, 2020
Chantal Forthun

Winemaker Flowers Vineyard & Winery

8.5

Rip your face off acid

Rip your face off acid

Dec 5th, 2018
Charles Antin

Senior Wine Specialist/Auctioneer Zachys

8.4

Tasted blind, guessed Jura.

Tasted blind, guessed Jura.

Aug 14th, 2017
Pierpaolo Petrassi MW

Master of Wine; Head of Beer, Wine & Spirits Waitrose

8.9

Made by the UK's best winemaker Dermot Sugrue, this hails from the South Downs and shows lovely bright fruit which is Pinot dominated. Disgorged 5/16.

Made by the UK's best winemaker Dermot Sugrue, this hails from the South Downs and shows lovely bright fruit which is Pinot dominated. Disgorged 5/16.

Mar 6th, 2017
Austin Hohnke

For fish and chips? Rich and biscuity with pineapple on the palate. Finishes with lots of citrus and acid. Can I get some more Puligny oak, guv'nor?

For fish and chips? Rich and biscuity with pineapple on the palate. Finishes with lots of citrus and acid. Can I get some more Puligny oak, guv'nor?

Nov 26th, 2016
Matté

Manager The Wine Cellars

9.0

Has a banofee pie style biscuit edge on the nose, upfront acidity and spritzy lemon finish.

Has a banofee pie style biscuit edge on the nose, upfront acidity and spritzy lemon finish.

Apr 8th, 2016
Chantal Forthun

Winemaker Flowers Vineyard & Winery

8.4

Drop acid.

Drop acid.

Dec 12th, 2014
Jon Bonné

Wine Editor San Francisco Chronicle

8.4

And for something completely different, although perhaps a bit dominated by its acidity.

And for something completely different, although perhaps a bit dominated by its acidity.

Jul 21st, 2014