Celebrate English Wine Week with Hambledon
June not only signals the start of UK summer but also the famed English Wine Week and what better way to get into the spirit than with putting a spotlight on Hambledon Wine Estate: The Birthplace of English Wine.
The 21st-29th June is a time dedicated to honouring all English wine producers and vineyards. This year, WineGB is all about creating new traditions for summer and partaking in exemplary quality of English Sparkling, such as the award-winning range of non-vintage wines from the chalky hills of Hambledon nestled in the South Downs, Hampshire.
Meet Hambledon’s wines, produced exclusively from the estate’s south-east facing slopes of Windmill Down vineyard.
The Classics
Classic Cuvée
The flagship non-vintage sparkling wine of the estate. A Chardonnay-led blend with percentages of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this sparkling wine undergoes extended time ageing on its lees and promises flavours of stone fruit, English blossom and lemon tart. The current disgorgement is based on the 2020 harvest, topped up with tank-aged reserve wines and is ready to drink now but can be cellared for up to 12 months.
Classic Cuvée Rosé
A beautiful wild strawberry in colour and undergoes a minimum of 45 months resting on its lees, creating wonderful yeasty aromas of biscuit and toast. Another non-vintage sparkling and based on 2019 harvest, this wine is also Chardonnay-led and reveals rich flavours of red fruit and rosehip on the palate with a clean, crisp finish. Ready to drink now or can be cellared for up to 12 months.
The Première
Première Cuvée Rosé
A gastronomic masterpiece. Delicately pink with a hint of bronze, the bouquet of sweet summer raspberry and autumnal blackberry springs from the glass. A blend led by saignée Pinot Meunier, followed by small percentages of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this outstanding sparkling wine is based on the 2016 harvest with some solera tank reserves. Extended bottle ageing leads to a multi-layered palate of sumptuous strawberry, savoury miso and fresh dough with a beguiling marine undertone. Ready to drink now but can be cellared for up to 5 years.
The New Release
Blanc de Blancs
The estate’s first 100% Chardonnay blend based on the superb 2018 vintage. Produced from vines growing in identical chalk to Champagne’s Côte des Blancs, this wine has been matured carefully on its lees for over 4 years. Typically Hambledon on the palate, exhibiting orchard fruits, creamy apple pie, quince and vanilla brioche. Drink now or save for a special occasion for up to 5 years.
Stories, insight and of course wine
Stay up to date with the world of wine
