Tasting Notes
This is, we think, the best vintage sparkling wine in England, bar none. It is so expressive and very much Grand Cru wine-like to drink. Richly fruited, with such golden quality to it - mirabelle plums, golden delicious apples, honey cakes, white flowers and sweet pastry notes are to the fore. What struck me most, though, was the textural quality (owing to lees ageing combined with fermentation and gentle ageing in neutral barrels). It's supremely elegant, yes, but texturally it's on a different level from most other English sparkling wines. Indulgent, and so luxurious. 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 22% Pinot Meunier.
More Info
With its Blanc de Noirs 2010 being named Supreme Champion at the inaugural Wine GB Awards, and its Cuvée 2013 being named the UK’s Best Sparkling Wine in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2017, AND winning the English Sparkling Wine Trophy in the International Wines and Spirits Challenge 2017, life is good for Wiston Estate. It’s a testament to the combined efforts and expertise of estate managers Richard and Kirsty Goring, and winemaker Dermot Sugrue, and confirms Wiston as a genuine trailblazer of quality English sparkling wine. Taking inspiration from his previous work in Champagne, Dermot prefers to use old Jacques Prieur Burgundy barrels for fermentation and ageing of Wiston’s vintage wines and his approach to winemaking is all about patience – as such Wiston sparkling wines will only ever be released once they have reached pitch-perfect readiness. Their NV wines are unbeatable examples of just good English sparkling can be.