County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month March 2023

A sparkling gift idea for Mother’s Day

Sugrue South Downs’ Vintage 2016 Rose Ex Machina is the recommendation as we look forward towards spring.

This month, at the start of spring, I wanted to present a wonderful rose – a great gift to share for Mother’s day.

This sparkling wine is from who most prominent UK wine commentators would say is the UK’s finest winemaker. He also makes wines for many other well-respected vineyards. After successive harvests in Champagne, Dermot Surgue was one of the architects of the rise of Nyetimber, followed by Wiston Estate and now onto his own exclusive brand, Sugrue South Downs, with his wife Ana. 

Ana also has had a career in wine. Prior to joining Sugrue South Downs, she was Head Wine Maker at Plumpton Estate. 

One characteristic of Dermot’s wine is that he ages his wines with the aid of large Burgundian French oak barrels which adds more complexity to his range of sparkling wines than his contemporaries. 

Awards for Sugrue South Downs

Multiple but WineGB Trophy for Boutique Producer of the Year 2020 and 2021 shows the standard of wines produced.

Wine of the Month

For March 2023, it is Sugrue South Downs’ Vintage 2016 Rose Ex Machina – the first ever rosé English sparkling wine from Sugrue South Downs. 

There are many reasons why I have chosen this wine. It could be that it is multi vintage which compromising 2016 and reserve wine from 2009. This gives it a real depth of flavour and something to savour on the palate. It’s a wine that is great to drink now but will improve with age developing into a aged vintage rose. 

Wine reviews from Anne Krebiehl MW, Falstaff, May 2022 – 95 POINTS. “Both orange peel and Red Delicious apple figure on the nose, alongside a subtle hint of fresh Viennoiserie that turns into shortcrust with more air. The palate strikes immediately with its effortlessness: there is that lovely balance between juicy freshness and mellow ripeness that you get in red apples. The slender body fizzes away with tiniest bubbles, lending creaminess and gentleness, expressing serenity, beauty and depth. Very elegant, lovely now, certain to evolve into a grandiose and gastronomic rosé.”

Key characteristics of Sugrue South Downs Rose Ex Machina 2016

MATURATION: Bottled July 2017. First release: four years ageing on lees, one year ageing on cork.

ANALYSIS: Dosage 9g/l Alcohol 12% abv

CEPAGE: 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay

VINEYARDS: Jenkyn Place Vineyard, Hampshire, planted 2004. Vines 13 years old at time of 2016 harvest.

Grape Varietals: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier

ABV: 12%

Where to buy?

To buy this wine, you can buy directly online from Sugrue South Downs at £65 per bottle. It’s  pricey, but a fine vintage with great aging!

In summary

Sugrue’s Rose Ex Machina sets the mark for fine English sparkling rose. In addition, Sugrue South Downs is a mark to remember and to enjoy now for special occasions or lay down for the future where they will continue to evolve in the bottle.  I would also recommend Sugrue’s delightfully named The Trouble With Dreams, the current vintage is 2017 and also well worth a try.  

Wishing you a happy Mothers day and looking forward to the start of spring!

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