County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month August 2022

Stopham Estate – Pinot Gris 2020 and Bacchus 2020 For this month, we have chosen two wines from the same producer as I found it a real challenge to choose between the two of them from Stopham Estate, in West Sussex, the other side of Pulborough. 

Both are perfect for a refreshing mid-summer glass of white wine on their own or with food. The owner of Stopham, Simon, has a motto for his Estate’s wines, which is “Made with Precision and Passion”, and so I have to agree with his statement – all his wines have a clean and fresh taste with subtle, well-balanced flavours and elements coming through. 

The first wine is a Pinot Gris, a versatile grape grown across the globe from South Africa to the US and Argentina with original origins in Burgundy, France. 

For this wine, I had a lovely hit of stone fruit together with good acidity making the mouth water (in a good way!). Because of the fruit and texture of this wine, it works really well with spicy or heavier flavour dishes that it matches with its ample character. Typical sales price is £16.

FOOD PAIRING – For me, personally I would say this works well with Chinese or Thai dishes.  

Winemaker’s comments;

If you like a little sweetness and texture in your wine, then our Pinot Gris may suit you. It is off-dry, with aromatic peach and pear fruit.

The second wine of the month from  Stopham is the Bacchus which is a English winemakers’ favourite due to its elderflower and floral notes. With some Bacchus, the elderflower can be too prominent but with Stopham’s Bacchus 2020 (a great Summer at the start of Covid), we have a delicate hint of Elderflower quickly followed by a grapefruit and citrus coming through followed by a slight sweetness of orange peel with limited floral notes. A nice minerality from start to finish for this wine. Typical sales price is £15 

FOOD PAIRING – I would say that this wine works particularly well with white fish, goats cheese or asparagus. 

Winemaker’s notes;

Our Bacchus is floral on the nose with orange peel and grapefruit on the palate. It has moderate acidity with a touch of sweetness.

Visit the Vineyard at Stopham Estate

Simon and his team are open for wine tasting and tours throughout the summer. Set in a beautiful rural location, it has the Stopham Bridge Pub on the river Arun nearby, a great lunch excursion for all where you have views of the rolling South and North Downs. I would also recommend trying their English sparkling wine, which is excellent. 

Michael Yeoman,
English Wine and International Wine Specialist

Michael Yeoman produces his own range of sustainable spirits with Spirit of the Downs (www.spiritofthedowns.co.uk) and works with small batch local vineyards with his Brighton and Hove Wine Club (www.brightonandhovewineclub.co.uk)