County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month January 2023

Limited release sparkling red from Plumpton Estate is this month’s top wine buy.

Happy New Year! As we start 2023, we see the vineyards in a bare dormant state waiting for the vines to be pruned in preparation for the forthcoming season. The low arch of the sun creates a mistiness on the vineyards first thing in the morning.  

Plumpton Estate Vineyard

For this month’s Wine of the Month, we have chosen our friends at Plumpton Estate, near Ditchling Beacon, in East Sussex, who typically produce around 40,000 bottles of wine covering a range from the traditional Champagne grape varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – but also more popular English varieties, such as Bacchus (essence of elderflower and citrus) together with lesser know grapes such as Ortega and Riesling. 

The estate’s college is a centre of excellence, offering degree-level education for students across the world. It is one of the only institutions in the Northern hemisphere to offer degree level academic and vocational education taught in the English language. The students work with the lecturers to create the wines each year. 

Plumpton Sparkling Pinot Noir 2018

From Plumpton’s wide range of wines, we have chosen the newly-launched Sparkling Pinot Noir which is quite unusual due to it being a sparkling red wine instead of sparkling white pinot noir. 

The key difference is that most Pinot Noir is pressed and immediately removed from the skins, providing a clear liquid which is used to make traditional sparkling wines. In this instance, the reason the wine is red is due to extended contact with the skins of the Pinot Noir grapes.  

Having a sparkling red wine is unusual but not unique as, in Australia, there is a tradition of sparkling red wines such as a sparkling Shiraz. 

There are only around 600 bottles of the Sparkling Pinot Noir 2018, so  this is a limited release from  Plumpton Vineyard.

How the sparkling Pinot Noir is made

As a single varietal Pinot Noir, the wine is pressed lightly to extract flavour and complexity then the base wine is fermented to 9%. 

After a primary stabilisation, the liqueur de tirage is added to the wine then it is bottled. The wine is aged for two years, then riddled, disgorged and labelled, making this a traditional method sparkling wine.

Wine makers tasting notes

Raspberry and cherry take centre stage whilst the nose touches on notes of shortbread and toast. Pairs well with white meats when chilled and cheeses too.

Food pairings

Pairs well with white meats when chilled and cheeses too.

Michael’s tasting notes

For me, what I love about this wine is the lightness and fruitiness that comes through. It has lovely bubbles coating your tongue with lashings of cherries. This is a perfect wine to accompany BBQ’s with smoked meats. 

Wine specifications

Grape Varietals – Pinot Noir (100 %)

Wine Style – Traditional Method Sparkling Red

ABV % – 12 %

Where to buy?

You can buy directly from Plumpton College, Brighton and Hove Wine Club or local specialist vintners. Get it whilst you can as these 600 bottles will not last the year!

Michael Yeoman, Founder
www.spiritofthedowns.co.uk