Hambledon Vineyard Disgorging, Dosage, Labelling

Hambledon Vineyard Seminar and Wine Tasting Evening

8th November, 2013, 6 – 9pm

@ Hambledon Vineyard Tasting Room and Winery

Edit: Since this article was written, the first Hambledon release, the Mill Down is no longer available. The 2010 Mill Down was a “test run”, the first commercially available wine. Their permanent range now included the Classic Cuvee Brut, the Rose Brut and the fantastic Premiere Cuvee.

I am afraid I wasn’t lucky enough to attend the Hambledon Vineyard Seminar and Wine Tasting Evening above but one of my colleagues was able to go. Having spoken nicely to them I managed to persuade them to take a video of the process of uncorking, disgorging, dosage through to adding capsule and label etc. The evening consisted of a very interesting tour of the winery, a wine tasting presented by Joe Wadsack and then a chance make one’s own bottle of Hambledon Vineyard Mill Down Wine with whichever dosage the person making that bottle required. The standard dosage for Mill Down is 10g/litre, however I am led to believe that an Extra Brut (6g/litre) and zero dosage were also made on the evening. I am big fan of zero dosage wines and I think Hambledon Vineyard Zero has quite a nice ring to it. May be they will look at other cuvées at a later date.

In the video below one can see how sparkling wine is made using the Traditional Method.

1. Uncorking and Disgorging or Dégorgement – removal of crown cap and ice plug
2. Dosage – desired amount of sugar solution added to make the wine Extra Brut, Brut, Demi Sec etc.
3. Corking and addition of wine cage
4. Capsule added
5. Labeling

Tasting Notes: Hambledon Vineyard Mill Down Brut 2010 is a light, pale straw colour with some green hints and lots of small, fine bubbles. The nose aromas of floral aromas, red apples, some strawberry / red fruit notes and a chalky minerality or stone character. The palate is dominated by citrus / lemon flavours and is very fresh, clean and well-balance with fine mineral character and zingy, refreshing acidity. Good long finish.

Please read more about my own visit to Hambledon Vineyard here and here.