County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month December 2023

For December, I have chosen the new release of Breaky Bottom Sussex Sparkling Wine from 2018, which was the best vintage for over 25 years. This is the first Blanc De Noir that Peter Hall has ever launched, so I was excited to try this as our Christmas choice – the perfect accompaniment for Christmas morning or dinner.

Peter has been producing wine for nearly 50 years in a little fold of the South Downs near Rodmell and Northese, near Lewes. Peter sells his wines across the globe and is recognised as one of the UK’s best winemakers, producing consistently high quality sparkling wines using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and the rarely planted Seyval Blanc. Blanc de Noir typically have more fruit on the nose and palate than a Chardonnay based sparkling wine often called a Blanc de Blanc. I use Peter’s grapes to create two of my Spirit of the Downs Brandies as they are of the highest quality, perfect for making brandy. 

Wine of the month for December 2023:

2018 Blanc De Noir Cuvée Noella

Launched mid December 2023

Peter’s comment on the new release

“This was the only year to produce sufficient black grapes to make a 100% Blanc de Noirs. A real ‘one-off’ with soft minerality and lovely autumn fruits.”

On the the naming of the wine, he explains: “My elder brother, Rémy, and I were born during the war at our Irish granny’s house, Rangeworthy Court in Gloucestershire. Noella was our first nanny, a wonderful sweet natured and very French carer who I still remember well. She fell in love with George Glede the delightful farm worker (who still ploughed with horses!). They married, and after the war moved to France. Long after, George, who had a superb Gloucestershire accent, used to write to me saying he still couldn’t speak a word of French!”

3,572 bottles produced ABV:
12%

This Pinot Noir and Meunier

Michael’s Tasting notes –The wine has fine bubbles with enticing fruit and a little white pepper on the nose. On the palate, we have richer fruit than a typical glass of Breaky Bottom bubbles with mouth watering acidity. We have lots of red berries and cranberry on the lingering finish. This is the perfect wine with salmon and eggs in the morning or as an entrée for the roast turkey at Christmas.   

Where to buy?

To buy this wine you can buy directly online from Peter at Breaky Bottom, or purchase at many local wine merchants or at Steyning/Shoreham/Arundel Farmers Market with pricing between £33 and £35 a bottle.

Enjoy and cheers!

Michael Yeoman, Founder of Brighton and Hove Wine Club and Spirit of the Downs

Michael Yeoman specialises in working with small batch wine producers in and around Sussex and the South Downs. He originally founded Brighton and Hove Wine Club and also creates a range of small batch Sussex Brandies and Grape spirits through his brand Spirit of the Downs www.spiritofthedowns.co.uk