Emma Rice waves her wand across another sparkling triumph

Emma Rice, Head winemaker at Hattingley Valley and recent recipient of UK Winemaker of The Year has turned up trumps again making the Alder Ridge Sparkling Blanc de Noirs 2013.

This new sparkling wine is sourced from Cobbs Farm on the border of Berkshire and Wiltshire, just up the road from my Michelin Star restaurant at Little Bedwyn.

Tom Newey, Chief Executive of Cobbs Farm Shops planted the vines in 2010, and the 2013 is the first Vintage to be released. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir, has no oak fermentation but has sat on its lees for 14 months, giving it a lovely soft toasty brioche and creamy texture.

The nose is very delicate, gentle rolling bubbles, bright clean flavours, touch of acidity, clean minerality, fresh fine summer berries very much in the champagne vintage mode. Emma said that she was delighted with the quality of the grapes and thought that Tom was inspired in planting Pinot Noir on this chalky site.

For a relatively young release, this wine really does impress, Emma’s gentle touch has highlighted the quality of these grapes, presenting a luxurious Sparkling wine that drinks so well, the delicate lightness of it encourages a second glass and this is a perfect match to go with your Christmas Day celebrations, especially good with the turkey as it will keep the mood light and sparkly.

Nearly 3,000 bottles of this sparkling wine have been produced and there are a further 5000 bottles of Classic Cuvee (Chardonnay & Pinot) from the same year but will not be released for another year or so.

Retail price will be £27.99, with a special introductory price up to Christmas at £25.99 in their Farm Shops. However there is a special launch party this Friday night where I suspect many orders will be taken. We will be serving it by the glass at The Harrow at Little Bedwyn whilst stocks last in December.

Written by Roger Jones

www.cobbsfarmshop.co.uk
www.theharrowatlittlebedwyn.com