Nyetimber - Classic Cuvée Brut
Nyetimber is located in the county of West Sussex, in the south of England in the United Kingdom . The estate was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 and was once the home of Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's fourth wife. Its history as a sparkling wine producer dates back to 1988. Eric Heerema became the owner of Nyetimber in 2006, believing that the estate, with its ideal soil and location, had yet to reach its full potential. Couple Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix first joined Nyetimber as winemakers in 2007, after tasting a bottle donated by Cherie's parents. They immediately recognized the promise of this early wine, and since 2007 Cherie and Brad have played a vital role in transforming Nyetimber into a sparkling wine producer that rivals the best in the world. Nyetimber implements corporate social responsibility by minimizing the environmental impact of the production process, including energy consumption, water use, waste minimization and management and material selection in construction and renovation projects. The producer also seeks to make a positive contribution to local communities, not only providing jobs, but meeting the wider social and economic needs of the counties in southern England, which make up the heart of Nyetimber.
All wines are made from the estate's own vineyards, spread across the South Downs range of hills in West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. The terroir in the hillsides is very similar to that of Champagne. The cool climate helps achieve the slow maturation and acidity levels needed for premium sparkling wine. Nyetimber plantations are limited to three grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Nyetimber wines are made using the traditional method and are often mistaken for Champagne in blind tastings.
This Classic Cuvée is a blend of Chardonnay (46%), Pinot Noir (35%) and Meunier (19%) . The grapes are gently pressed and the base wines are fermented in stainless steel. It comes from 6 vintages : 2018 (79%), 2016 (3%), 2015 (7%), 2014 (8%), 2013 (2%) and 2009 (1%). It was bottled on April 8, 2019 and aged on slats until December 17, 2021. The wine was disgorged on February 10, 2022 and contains a Brut dosage of 8 g/L of residual sugars. The wine has spent more than 32 months on the lees, whereas a classic Champagne is aged for a minimum of 12 months on the lees.
Grapes: 46% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 19% Meunier
