The Vines
Bacchus: our first acre of the vineyard is planted with Bacchus. Bacchus grapes have a strong and distinctive aromatic flavour, with high sugar content.Bacchus grapes are regularly made into a single varietal wine and are very successful in this country. Some wines produced from this grape develop good New World Sauvignon Blanc characters of gooseberry and fresh grass. Well made Bacchus wines age well and develop interesting flavours. This is one of the UK’s better varieties, capable of producing world-class wines. Bacchus is one of the most widely planted varieties in the UK.
Later plantings will include:
Chardonnay: This well known grape is very adaptable to different soils & climates, though it is vulnerable to spring frosts.It is a fundamental ingredient of the finest sparkling wines and Champagnes. Plantings of Chardonnay are greatly on the increase in England where it is primarily used for sparkling wine although, in exceptional years, it can produce a delicious still wine.
Pinot Noir: One of the most ancient and noble of all grape varieties. Pinot Noir is the classic grape for red Burgundy but is also an important element of sparkling wines and Champagnes. Two different clones are used for red wines and white, sparkling wines. The “Champagne” clone is rapidly becoming one of the most commonly planted vines in the UK. Pinot Noir is at home in the English climate and in good years some excellent quality red wines have been made with this grape. It takes new oak well.
Auxerrois - A grape variety related to Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, commonly grown in Alsace. It sets later and ripens earlier than Chardonnay. It is valued for its low acidity and produces exciting and long lasting wines if yields are kept low. This grape is used for sparkling wine with good results and can be used to add ‘body’ to blended wines.
