Raimes Blanc de Noirs English Sparkling, Hampshire

Description

Raimes Blanc de Noirs English Sparkling Wine is an English Sparkling wine from Hampshire. Blanc de Noirs, which translates literally as “white from blacks”, means that this is a white sparkling wine made from red grapes only. In this case, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Raimes Blanc de Noirs was their first wine released for sale when they launched with the 2013 vintage in the autumn of 2016.

Raimes English Sparkling Wine is owned by the fifth generation of the Raimes family, Augusta and Robert. The family have been farmers in Hampshire for five generations. On their land, together with land situated on the historic Tichborne Estate, they grow wheat, barley and oilseed rape and also raise a herd of traditional pedigree Hereford cattle. Situated, as they are, on the chalky soils of the South Downs, it could only have been a matter of time before they started to think about growing grapes for sparkling wine production. Their first 10 acres of vineyards were planted in 2010 with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – the holy trinity of sparkling wine production. As well as the Blanc de Noirs, they also produce Classic Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé and Demi-Sec. Their wines are always vinified as vintage rather than non-vintage.

The Raimes vineyard itself is located near the village of Tichborne, close to Alresford, in the South Downs. The chalky soils of the South Downs are essentially the same band of chalk which runs from the soils of Champagne, under the channel, to the white cliffs of Dover, through Kent and Sussex and into Hampshire. The chalk lends a particular minerality that helps to achieve a delicate balance of ripeness, acidity and berry aroma. The vineyards are all located on south-facing slopes. This aspect, combined with the soil, weather etc. (the “terroir”) produces wines with excellent minerality, balance, good acidity and complexity. It provides the perfect soil for vineyards to grow grapes for sparkling wines. 

The grapes for the Raimes Blanc de Noirs English Sparkling are harvested by hand into small crates and then make the short journey to Hattingley Winery at Lower Wield where they are vinified under the watchful eye of the talented wine-making team. This wine is a sparkling white wine made in the traditional method from the red grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Red grapes produce white grape juice which can make white wines as long as any pressing and skin contact is kept to a minimum (the colour comes from various compounds in the skins). The wine spent 29 months on the lees which lends the wine more creaminess and texturality. The wine is characterised by ripe orchard fruits, red apples and summer berry fruits. It is lovely, fresh and well-balanced with a hint of toasty background notes.

Raimes Blanc de Noirs 2019 is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier. 36 months on lees. Disgorged March 2023. Dosage 5 g/L. Only 2800 bottles were produced.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.