County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month April 2026

The Trouble with Dreams Multi Vintage 2021

Introduction to Sugrue South Downs

In the UK there are few winemakers that have such a well regarded reputation as Dermot Sugrue and his wife Ana who together create the Sugrue South Downs brand. Both come from respected wine producing backgrounds with Dermot having worked in Champagne, Nyetimber and then moving on to running Wiston winery as well as assisting many other wineries across England to create their fine vintages. Ana originally from Croatia was head wine maker at Plumpton College helping train the next generation of wine makers that go on to grow wines across the globe. This husband and wife team has attained the highest rated English wines on the market which means they have a cult following for their sparkling and still wine creations. 

Tasting Notes for The Trouble with Dreams Multi Vintage 2021

Appearance – Attractive Gold with slight glint of rose.

Nose – There is a richness on the nose with stone fruit and honey suckle, a golden richness and white pepper, it is very inviting.

Palate – There is good acidity and texture due to the oak ageing of this wine, it has structure with tannins that come through from two years of French oak aging.

The wine has a citrus backbone with lemon sherbet at the fore. We also have a little sweetness with kiwi and desert gooseberries that follow. There is a lingering caramel note on the end of the journey.

Vintage – 2021 was a challenging year for English wine with cold start and frost which impacted some producers. A boost of fine sunshine in September and October resulted in a small crop of excellent fruit. For this wine Sugrue South Downs have added 60% reserve wines (from 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), which have been built up over the past two decades.

When to drink – This wine is fresh and exuberant now but I feel it would be at it’s best in around another five years or so, to build further complexity, also bringing more of the caramel notes and richness to the wine.

Suggested Food Pairing

This wine is great on it’s own as an aperitif or for a celebration. With its richness and complexity it is food friendly and would work well with more flavoursome seafood such as Oyster Kirkpatrick or with Harisa Scallops.

Where to buy?

This wine can be purchased online at

www.sugruesouthdowns.com for £49 a bottle or at local vintners or at Spirit of the Downs Distillery at Bolney.

Written for County Business Club by Michael Yeoman, English Wine Specialist and producer of Spirit of the Downs, award winning local artisan Sussex Grape based Brandies, Vodkas and Liqueurs www.spiritofthedowns.co.uk