Exton Park Pinot Meunier Rosé, Hampshire Sparkling Wine

Description

Exton Park Pinot Meunier Rosé is a Hampshire Sparkling wine from a relatively new vineyard located in near the village of Exton in the Meon Valley.

Exton Park Vineyard was founded in 2009 when it was bought by businessman Malcolm Isaac. Malcolm has recently sold his company Vitacress which he initially set up to sell watercress to supermarkets and which eventually became one of the leading suppliers of bagged salads. Seeking a new challenge lead to the creation of the 55 hectare Exton Park estate. Located on the chalk soils of the South Downs it shares the same soils as other notable Hampshire wines such as Hambledon, Cottonworth and Raimes and the same chalk extends from Hampshire through Kent and the white cliffs of Dover into Champagne. There is a talented team at Exton. Vineyard manager Fred Langdale has worked at Peregrine in Central Otago and L’Avenir in South Africa and more recently at Nyetimber. Head winemaker is Corinne Seely who has worked in Bordeaux, Australia, the Douro and also makes Coates and Seely sparkling wine near Whitchurch. She is joined by Oliver Whitfield who has worked in New Zealand and, more locally, Wickham Vineyard.

Initially 12 acres of vines were planted in 2003 which Isaac extended with another 25 acres in 2009. The vineyards are planted on chalk slopes with classic sparkling wine varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – and the first wine was released in 2011. As well as the fantastic Exton Park Pinot Meunier Rosé they also produce non-vintage Brut Reserve, Rose and Blanc de Noirs sparkling wines, with plans in the pipeline for vintages and more single varietals. The winery is located 20 metres from the vineyards which ensures the fruit arrives at the winery in tip top condition. The press used is a Bucher inert press. This press allows Exton to do a press cycle with almost no oxygen contact with the grapes. As a result the grape juice has no chance to oxidise in the press, this helps preserve the juice’s natural colour. The press cycle is extremely gentle. Only extracting the juice from the ripest grapes, and not bruising the stalks. Vinification is in temperature controlled stainless steel vats from Italy. All of the fruit is estate grown.

Exton Park Pinot Meunier Rosé is made from 100% Pinot Meunier and is aged for 12 months on lees. Currently is it made from fruit from the 2014 vintage, but Exton do not call it a vintage wine due to the short lees ageing. Dosage is 6.5 g.L.