Furleigh Estate launches Blanc de Noirs & New Classic Cuvées

Furleigh Estate in Dorset, has just released three new sparkling wines to add to its expanding portfolio –a Blanc de Noirs 2014, along with new Classic Cuveė 2013 and Classic Cuveė 2014.

With a track record of international awards behind him, Furleigh’s winemaker Ian Edwards is keen to keep consumers on their toes when it comes to discovering the diversity and complexity that grapes grown in English soil have to offer:

“English winemakers are excelling in producing high quality sparkling wines and as a result consumers are more switched on to the quality being produced and grape varieties that they’re drinking. We want to keep on surprising people’s palates with different ways of using varieties that grow well in the UK such as Pinot Noir, which is a classic ‘Champagne’ variety used in our sparkling wines.” says Ian.

Furleigh Estate Blanc de Noirs 2014 challenges the traditional trio of grape varieties that make up the majority of English sparkling wines and Champagne, by being made entirely from black grape varieties Pinot Noir (88%) and Pinot Meunier (12%), producing a creamy mousse on the palate with rich ripe red fruity flavours. Grapes were hand-picked and pressed slowly to obtain the best juice. Following the methode champenoise with secondary fermentation in the bottle, the wine was left to mature in contact with its lees for over 15 months.

Furleigh has also released two new Classic Cuveė vintages made from grapes grown in 2013 & 2014, and despite both being composed of an equal blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, the vintages offer very different flavours on the palate, a reflection of age and terrior. The Classic Cuveė 2013 gives a creamy mousse with nutty nuances of roasted almond plus savoury notes from the yeasty complexity, giving a crisp, dry and long finish. In contrast the Classic Cuveė 2014 offers bigger citrus fruit flavours of grapefruit and Sicilian lemon, with a much more suitable autolytic character.

“England’s unpredictable climate means yields and vintages can vary dramatically. In 2012 no sparkling wine was made, yet 2013 and 2014 saw production double at Furleigh. When we have a good vintage, the cool English climate and long growing season coupled with fertile soils give crisp refreshing fruit driven wines.” says Ian.

The key to Furleigh’s success in producing diverse high quality English wine, as others in the industry will agree, is commitment and passion in producing the best for their customers:

“When it comes to producing wine, we are not only influenced by the grapes that grow well in our local climate and soil, but also by the styles of wine that our customers enjoy. Our cellar door is open to the public almost every day of the year, so we get direct feedback from customer as to what they enjoy drinking and preferred styles. We supply wine to some of the best restaurants in London and the South West, and what they order for their customers is also a good indication of favoured styles,” says Rebecca.