Origin - England, East Sussex

White Grape - Chardonnay

Red Grape - Meunier, Pinot Noir

Year - 2017

Type - Sparkling

Style - Elegant, Brut

Alcohol - 12%

Rathfinny’s Classic Cuvée displays vivid aromas of grapefruit, red apple and brioche on the nose. The palate has real focus with zesty acidity tempered by the wine’s creamy texture and rich, biscuity notes, leading to a refreshing and moreish finish.

2017 was an exceptional vintage, but not without its challenges. Fortunately, the south facing aspect and proximity to the coast, protected Rathfinny’s estate vineyards from the late spring frost. After an early budburst the grapes benefitted from a long ripening period and a phenomenal ‘Indian summer’, with unseasonably warm September weather producing ripe fruit, with concentrated flavours and balanced acidity and sugar levels.

This family-owned estate was established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, with the first vineyards being planted in April 2012. Rathfinny’s estate vineyard now extends to over 93 hectares in the South Downs, just three miles from the Channel. Lying on a south-facing slope, their estate vineyard is predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier as well as small plantings of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The site benefits from a semi-continental maritime climate and free-draining chalk soils, providing the ideal conditions to ripen grapes. Rathfinny uses only estate-grown fruit for their four traditional-method sparkling wines: Classic Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé, as well as their still white wine. Each of their wines is produced and labelled as a vintage wine.

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