County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month February 2023
13th February 2023
Author EditorPosted on Categories Lifestyle
For February, the month of love, there is no better quality wine to celebrate Valentine’s than with a bottle of Breaky Bottom Sussex Sparkling Wine.
This is a wine that I proposed to my wife, Rachel, with at St Peter’s Pool in Malta, and so a wine that is very close to my heart for any special occasion.
There are many reasons why I love Peter’s wines; firstly they look sensational, with a sleek and elegant design and only a stripe of gold foil covering the cage that holds the cork in the bottle. Secondly, there is significant heritage that comes with the wines; after planting his first vines over 45 years ago near Lewes, Peter has created a cult following both here and abroad with his light and well balanced cuvees, using the relatively unknown Seyval Blanc grape as well as more well know Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes.
These make sumptuous wines that which will give any Champagne a run for it’s money.
Peter is a perfectionist and still applies every label with his considered hands and at over 75 years of age he is very much at the helm of good ship Breaky Bottom. His wines are aged between three and five years providing lovely brioche and bakery flavours on the palate and so are excellent on their own or as an accompaniment to cut through creamy pasta dishes, salmon canapes or even fish and chips!
Our wine of the month for February 2023 is Breaky Bottom’s Vintage 2017 Cuvée John Agard, Winner of Gold IEWA and Silver WineGB.
The wine taster’s notes
“Impressively layered on both palate and nose, this wine shows lingering mouthfeel with wonderful balance and a real breath to the finish.”
Grape Varietals: 65% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier.
ABV: 12%
Michael’s tasting notes
This wine has great appeal, with freshness and toastiness coming through on the nose due to bottle aging. It has a lightness on the palate with fine bubbles and mouth watering acidity. This starts with Braeburn apples, with a citrus backbone to bakery notes which linger. It is a lovely drop and leaves you craving for more! The perfect wine to celebrate Valentine’s.
Where to buy?
To buy this wine you can buy directly online from Peter at Breaky Bottom, purchase at many local wine merchants or Brighton and Hove Wine Club 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