Cottonworth Classic Cuvee Brut

Description

Cottonworth Classic Cuvee Brut is a Hampshire Sparkling Wine made by Cottonworth Wines. Cottonworth Wines is an English Sparkling Wine producer located in the Test Valley in Hampshire. Cottonworth itself is a small village situated between the towns of Andover and Stockbridge. Cottonworth is owned by the Liddell family, fifth generation farmers, and the wine-making side of things was set up and is run by winemaker Hugh Liddell. The first vineyards at Cottonworth were planted in 2005 and comprised of two acres of German and French grape varieties. In 2012 Cottonworth planted a further 10 acres of vineyards with these three grape varieties. Two thirds of this was Pinot Noir which adds fruit and body to the final cuvee, as well as colour to the Sparkling Rosé. The vines are planted on half way up a south facing slope (at around 40 to 70 metres above sea level) which means they avoid the cold air that accumulates at the bottom. The vines at Meonhill Wines on Old Winchester Hill near Droxford are planted in a similar manner which was described to me as creating “air-drainage”. There are three different types of soil in the vineyards – very chalky, chalky and not chalky. These are best suited to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier respectively and the chalky, minerality can be found in the wine. Cottonworth Wines are now made at at Hattingley Valley winery. The wines are made using the Methode Traditionelle i.e. the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle to introduce the fizz in exactly the same way as Champagne, and most quality sparkling wine, is produced. Grapes are gently basket-pressed and the wine is fermented in a combination of temperature controlled stainless steel and oak barriques. After fermentation the wine is blended and bottle for the second fermentation in the bottle. Cottonworth Classic Cuvee Brut is aged for several years on the lees prior to disgorgement. The blend is 60% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir and 13% Pinot Meunier with a dosage of 7 g/L.

Read more here.