County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month November 2022

Moving into winter and planning for Christmas

Harvest seems a long time ago and, as we move towards Christmas, I start to think about what wines to stock up for the festive period. 

After a tough year, I am looking forward to spending some quality time with friends and family. For me, winter brings out the darker spirits, perfect sharing in a flask by a bonfire or by an open fire at the end of the night. In addition, I look forward to sharing some fine bubbles over the Christmas period as easy drinking aperitifs or to go with fine foods. It’s great to treat yourself every once in a while with a bottle of bubbles – not just to mark an occasion. 

December’s Wine of the Month comes from a relative newcomer to Sussex Wines based in Streat near Ditchling in Sussex called Artelium, whom you may not have heard of – although the head winemaker, Dermot Sugrue, is recognised as one of the UK’s finest winemakers, crafting some of the finest sparkling wines. Artelium founders Mark Collins and Julie Bretland have combined their wines with a passion for art and so there host a number of events at Artelium Wine Estate which is based at Malthouse Farm, Streat Lane, Streat, Sussex, BN6 8SA. 

Artelium vineyard at Streat near Ditchling, Sussex

What I like about this producer is the fact that they have not released their wines to early due to commercial pressures but have aged their wines for five years on the lees which adds complexity and character to English bubbles. You get a real toastiness or bakery flavour coming from the time spend in the cellar maturing before the bottle has its metal cap replaced with a cork one ready for sale and serving. 

One excellent example of this is the new rose, which is our wine of the month.

Makers Rosé from Artelium from 2015

Artelium 2015 Rose is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier; hand-picked from a single vineyard and skilfully made by celebrated winemaker Dermot Sugrue. This traditional method wine has been aged on the lees for over 48 months. It has an Intense strawberry colour, is bold yet nuanced with a rich depth of red fruit flavours

Tasting notes

An aromatic, exciting nose with bold, lifted red berry fruits alongside savoury spice and baked brioche. Tart baked rhubarb and crunchy, juicy cranberry on the palate. A lovely approachable style, offering excellent maturity and depth of flavour. Great concentration with fresh acid and lovely lees texture. A rich, complex rosé. Long, clean finish. 

Serving suggestions

A perfect example of a gastronomic rosé! Yes, it’s delicious on it’s own, but pour it alongside delicious cured hams, asparagus draped in lardo, or roast duck leg and it’ll sing. Epic with mature, hard cheeses like Lincolnshire Poacher. Roast Turbot with brown butter and capers wouldn’t go amiss. 

Winemaker – Dermot Sugrue 

Grape variety 50% Pinot Noir 30% Chardonnay 20% Meunier 

Vineyard characteristics – Soil Chalk 

Maturity – Lees aging of 5 years 

Disgorgement – August 2020 & June 2021 

ABV 12%  

Suitable for vegans 

Explanation of the 2015 vintage conditions

Typical. Summer was cool too! Slow ripening, with acidity remaining very high and sugars low through August in to September, but from mid-Sept on the temperatures soared – an Indian Summer was upon us and lasted well in to October. The grapes ripened brilliantly, balance was found and we harvested exceptional quality fruit. A tense year – both in the waiting for ripening, and the resulting wines.

Recent awards for Artelium at GB Wine Awards 2022

A number of their wines received medals at the awards, the Artelium Blanc De Blancs 2015 that stood out at the star of the show winning the Trophy for the ‘Best Blanc de Blancs’ and going on to win the Best Sparkling.  The entire team were over the moon to be awarded Best Newcomer, but probably a bit overwhelmed and very honoured when we were awarded  “Supreme Champions”.

Artelium wines are available direct from the vineyard or at selected outlets in Sussex, alternatively you can purchase online at https://www.artelium.com/english-wine-shop

New 2020 vintage Sussex Brandies and Grape Spirits from Spirit of the Downs Award-winning Spirit of the Downs 

has launched new spirits from the 2020 vintage. 

Sussex Brandy aged with English Oak vintage 2020 – This brandy benefits with 11 months of aging on the Chardonnay grape and traditional aging in casks made by the UK’s last Master Cooper Alistair Simms based in Yorkshire. The grapes create a young, fruit led English brandy with subtle floral notes of elderflower and honeysuckle, together with butterscotch and oak. The brandy is well balanced and has a lovely sweetness and sits in style between a calvados and an Armagnac.

Sussex Brandy with French Oak vintage 2020 – This brandy benefits with 11 months of aging on the Chardonnay grape and aging with French oak to provide a “VS” style Sussex brandy. The grapes help create a more intense English brandy with plenty of fruit with flavours of sweet caramel, Crème Brule, Raisins, Butterscotch and balanced Oak and Vanilla with Smokiness and long finish.  

The previous vintage was a winner of Great Taste 1 star 2021 and IWSC Bronze 2021. Judges’ comments on the 2019 vintage were: “A refined and elegant spirit with a rich lim4rousin oak spiciness. Remarkably smooth with a very slight toast/smoke character and sweet biscuity note making this a very accessible and easy drinking brandy with a refined medium dry fruit flavour.

A very elegant brandy, with bright notes dancing across the tongue. Marzipan and toasted sugar notes come through well. Lacking a touch in depth, which may develop from more time in the barrel, but still absolutely delicious.”

Spirit of the Downs is available from Steyning, Shoreham and Arundel Farmers’ Markets every month, local vintners, breweries and selected cocktail bars as well as a plans for a pop-up shop at Shoreham Airport terminal for the two weeks before Christmas from 12nonn till 6pm Wednesday to Saturday.

Plans for new Spirit of the Downs distillery

Spirit of the Downs also plans to open its new distillery in Shoreham ready for summer. Further updates to follow in the coming months.  

Michael Yeoman,
Founder

Brighton and Hove Wine Club and Spirit of the Downs – Great Taste Producer, Winner of Great Taste 3 Star Award and IWSC Bronze

www.spiritofthedowns.co.uk