Jack Ratt Black Cherry Mead, Lyme Bay Winery 11%

Additional information

Origin	Dorset, England
Vintage	NV
Bottle sizes	75cl

Description

Discover a delicious twist on an ancient classic with Jack Ratt Black Cherry Mead (11% ABV). Crafted by the award-winning Lyme Bay Winery in Devon, this sweet English melomel skillfully blends traditional fermented honey wine with rich, natural black cherry flavours.

What is a Melomel?

While mead – often hailed as the “Nectar of the Gods” – is historically made simply from honey, water, and yeast, a mead fermented or blended with fruit is known as a Melomel. Jack Ratt Black Cherry Mead takes Lyme Bay’s signature honey base and infuses it with wild dark cherries, creating a slightly lower alcohol (11% ABV) and sweeter alternative to their traditional mead.

How is Jack Ratt Black Cherry Mead Made?

High-quality natural honey is dissolved into pure water to create a sweet liquid mixture called the “must.”
Fermentation: Specialised wine yeasts are added to ferment the honey sugars into a rich, traditional mead base.
Natural wild black cherry juice and natural essences are blended into the fermented base, transforming it into a melomel (fruit mead).
The alcohol level is balanced to 11% ABV (sweeter and lighter than the Jack Ratt Traditional Mead) and left to mature so the tart cherry and sweet honey flavours seamlessly integrate.
The ruby-red coloured mead is filtered for clarity and bottled at Lyme Bay Winery in Devon.

About Lyme Bay Winery

Nestled in the heart of Devon, Lyme Bay Winery is an award-winning producer renowned for both traditional heritage drinks and cutting-edge English wines. Originally famous for their artisanal fruit wines, ciders, and historic Jack Ratt meads, Lyme Bay has expanded into one of Britain’s most respected wineries. By partnering with premier vineyard growers throughout Southern England, their winemaking team selects fruit at peak ripeness to craft elegant still whites, rich Pinot Noir, and world-class sparkling wines.

The Legend of Jack Ratt

The Jack Ratt name pays homage to John Rattenbury – the notorious 18th-century smuggler, seaman, and fisherman from Beer in Devon, famously dubbed the “Rob Roy of the West.” Today, Lyme Bay Winery honours his adventurous spirit by producing some of the UK’s finest traditional meads, fruit wines, and spirits.

Order your bottle of Jack Ratt Black Cherry Mead 75cl today from Fareham Wine Cellar for UK nationwide delivery, or pop into our physical shop on Fareham High Street to collect!

Tasting Notes

In the glass, Jack Ratt Black Cherry Mead offers a gorgeous deep ruby hue. The nose opens with lifted aromas of floral honey, ripe dark cherries, and subtle orchard fruit. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious balance between the lush sweetness of natural honey and the tart, vibrant crunch of wild black cherries. Smooth and luscious, it finishes with a lingering, sweet-berry warmth.

To Serve

Thanks to its balanced cherry acidity and honey sweetness, this black cherry melomel is remarkably versatile:

Serving Temperature: Enjoy lightly chilled (10–12°C), served over ice on a warm afternoon, or at room temperature as a comforting digestif.
Cheese Matches: Pairs brilliantly alongside mature hard cheeses, sharp Cheddar, or creamy blue cheese like Stilton.
Dessert Matches: Outstanding when served with dark chocolate torte, black forest gateau, or warm fruit crumbles.
Savoury Match: Surprisingly delicious served alongside rich meats such as venison, roast pork, or glazed duck breast.