Embracing Diversity: My Try January Journey Through British Wines

1 Feb

As the New Year unfolds, my resolution takes an exciting turn with "Try January," a month dedicated to exploring the diverse and rapidly growing landscape of British wines. Join me on this journey of quality over quantity, as we sip through unique selections and broaden our horizons together. Lets broaden our horizons together and indulge in some fantastic new British wines!

January for me is always about quality over quantity! I'm more a Mindful drinker in January a small glass here and there to get over the Christmas and new year festivities. I'm the first to admit. I may have overindulged! Here was my top picks for a try January adventure.

Artistic Flair with Ark Pinot Noir 2021

Starting off my little exploration of Britain with a vineyard I haven't tried before.

Ark wines at Mount Farm vineyards which is located just north of Colchester in the heart of the Stour Valley Wine district.

A 6 ha plot with just over 20,000 vines growing eight varieties from the classic champagne blend grapes to Pinot Gris, Riesling, Bacchus, Acolon and Gamay. All the vines are planted on a mix of clay and loam soil.

I tried the Pinot Noir 2021. 100% Pinot noir with grapes from Suffolk and Essex. Made from crushed and destemmed grapes that have been left to cold macerate for 4 days and then fermented on the skins in stainless steel. It is further aged in barrels for 15 months.

I absolutely loved the label of this bottle! All the wines at Ark have labels designed by up-and-coming artists. This bottle is by Karla Engstrom who takes influence from the likes of Tim Burton for her designs. Her illustrations are packed with folklore, and nods to her Swedish heritage.

This is a lovely smoky Pinot Noir absolutely enveloped in red cherry on the nose and palate and just a hint of spice. Black pepper and hint of darker fruit, a little black cherry and plums. Silky tannins which is sometimes something I struggle with British wine.

Ark Pinot Noir is available directly from cellar door priced at £28 a bottle. Only 791 bottles so grab whilst you can!

Fizzing Crimson Delight: Bluebell Vineyard's Sparkling Merlot

Have you guys heard of Sparkling Red? You may have tried Sparkling shiraz from Australia before or perhaps a sparkling Lambrusco from Italy? But did you know we also make them in the UK!

Bluebell Vineyard in Sussex Sparkling Merlot. This is made the same way as a traditional method Sparkling but with a shorter time on lees. Now obviously this is a winemaking decision, but the primary goal is to create a fruity bubbly wine. We aren't after the usual autolytic characteristics here, bready or brioche notes.

I've tried several sparkling reds before from the UK. All fantastic including the 2018 sparkling red from Bluebell. So I had high expectations for the newest 22 released.

Beautiful deep raspberry red, creamy mousse, a delight to pour.

Think fruity blueberry, black cherry, blackcurrant and plum for aromas and palate

This wine is absolutely made for food too. Its a firm favourite of mine for autumnal winter veg dishes so bring this out for vegetarians. Think butternut squash, sweet potato's, parsnips and nut roast! It pairs deliciously with BBQ meats too and perfect for your lamb Sunday lunch.

It's wonderful to try something a little bit different like from the UK and shows how we can produce some incredibly diverse products!

The Col Fondo Chronicles: Saddlegoose 2022 Chardonnay Col-Fondo

What is Col- Fondo I hear you ask?

Col Fondo is an Italian term that simply translates to "on the bottom" or "sediment." In the context of sparkling wine, Col Fondo refers to a traditional winemaking method where the wine is left on its lees (sediment) during the secondary fermentation in the bottle. This process imparts a slightly cloudy appearance to the wine, as the sediment settles at the bottom. It adds complexity and a unique character, offering a different experience compared to more clarified sparkling wines. The Col Fondo method often results in a rustic, lively, and aromatic sparkling wine.

These wines are sealed with a crown cap instead of your usual cork as they don't go through the disgorgement that your usual traditional method bubbly does.

Saddle Goose is a small craft wine company passionate about English grapes, creating exciting and surprising wines made with minimal intervention.

Made from 100% Chardonnay, wild fermentation, unfined, unfiltered and vegan friendly.

A super refreshing, lighter style fizz, perfect for easy afternoon drinking. As this is 2022 it hasn't had much time on the lees so autolytic characteristics are minimal, you do get a slight croissant aroma. Palate is delicious, full of pear, lemon, and orchard apples. A super fun fizz for Try January!

2022 CHARDONNAY COL-FONDO is available direct from Saddle Goose £29 RRP

Classic Elegance: Lympstone Manor Estates Classic Cuvée 2020

A brand-new vineyard that launched into the scene in 2023.Lympstone Manor has transformed from once dilapidated mansion into a luxury country house and foodie haven, but the plans haven't stopped there as Michael Caines saw the potential of planting a Devon vineyard on the southwest-facing parkland overlooking the beautiful Exe estuary.

Growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier, Michael’s dream is to produce high-quality English sparkling wine. On exceptional vintages the estate is able to produce still Pinot Noir, that is being raved about.

The 2020 Cuvée firmly demonstrates the vineyards attention to quality, with long lees ageing (no less than 3 years) and the Chardonnay element aged in new and used French oak barriques for 9 months prior to blending. This creates a wine that has incredible structure, and heady autolytic characteristics, utterly divine as an aperitif or just to drink to shoo away the January blues.

This is a nutty, honeyed, panettone of a English sparkler. I'm an absolute sucker for an almond aroma and throw in some mixed citrus peel, and I'm officially yours!

This is not just a Try January but a make this a staple of your wine rack!

Available directly from Lympstone Manor

RRP £60

Amber Elegance: Bacchus Bliss Chapel Down Orange Bacchus 2021

I finished my journey with a staple British grape variety. Bacchus. Sometimes seen as a bit of marmite grape variety, it the capacity to split a room with its distinctive aromas and palate!

Chapel Down's Orange Bacchus 2022, part of the 'Discovery Series,' offers diverse varieties and styles from limited vineyard parcels.

But what is Orange wine? Its simply a type of wine made from white grapes that have been fermented with their skins, similar to how red wine is produced. This extended skin contact gives the wine an orange or amber colour. I love the colour of this orange Bacchus. That skin contact helps deliver the 3 T's: Tannins, taste, and texture.

Aroma is super herbal, with a black tea, perhaps Lapsang or Earl Grey. Elderflower and gooseberry on the nose. Palate is a smoky, almond, peachiness and an abundance of gooseberry.

Chapel Down Orange Bacchus is available directly from cellar door RRP £26

A Toast to Diversity and Discovery

Try January has been a journey of discovery, from the distinctive Bacchus to the artistic Pinot Noir, the sparkling reds, the Col Fondo method, and the classic elegance of the Lympstone Manor Estates. Cheers to embracing diversity in British wines and making every sip a celebration of quality and uniqueness in the New Year!