About this WINE
Rathfinny
Rathfinny Wine Estate is a vineyard and winery in Sussex, England. The first vines were planted in 2012 by owners Mark and Sarah Driver, who bought the property (then a farm growing cereals) in 2010. The estate sits on a south-facing slope of chalk soils in the South Downs, just three miles from the English Channel. Rathfinny produces a range of vintage-only English sparkling wines using the traditional method.
Sussex
Located in southern England, Sussex has emerged as a promising region for wine production in recent years.
The country's cool climate and chalky soil, reminiscent of the renowned Champagne region in France, have created favourable conditions for vineyards to flourish.
Winemaking in Sussex focuses on sparkling wines made from traditional methods using classic grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Champagne blend
Which grapes are included in the blend, and their proportion, is one of the key factors determining the style of most Champagnes. Three grapes are used - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
26% of vineyards in Champagne are planted with Chardonnay and it performs best on the Côtes des Blancs and on the chalk slopes south of Epernay. It is relatively simple to grow, although it buds early and thus is susceptible to spring frosts. It produces lighter, fresher wines than those from Burgundy and gives finesse, fruit and elegance to the final blend. It is the sole grape in Blancs de Blancs, which are some of the richest long-lived Champagnes produced.
Pinot Noir accounts for nearly 40% of the plantings in Champagne and lies at the heart of most blends - it gives Champagne its body, structure, strength and grip. It is planted across Champagne and particularly so in the southern Aube district.
The final component is Pinot Meunier and this constitutes nearly 35% of the plantings. Its durability and resistance to spring frosts make the Marne Valley, a notorious frost pocket, its natural home. It ripens well in poor years and produces a soft, fruity style of wine that is ideal for blending with the more assertive flavours of Pinot Noir. Producers allege that Pinot Meunier lacks ageing potential, but this does not deter Krug from including around 15% of it in their final blends.
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Description
Hailing from the Sussex South Downs, this is Rathfinny's first vintage of rosé. Their impressive 75-hectare estate sits just three miles from the sea on south-facing chalk slopes. This wine – a blend of 66% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay and 14% Pinot Meunier – is delicate and inviting, with aromas of rose petal and fresh red cherry. On the palate, crunchy berry fruit mingles with strawberry tart and red apple. Try with smoked salmon blinis or king prawns.
Daisy Gatt, Buying Assistant (March 2020)
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