Smith and Evans: Pinot Chardonnay 2018
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Vintage bubbly - a classic 'Champagne' blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grown on White Lias limestone soils overlooking the Somerset levels. This impressive estate is already making waves - if only there was more wine available!
It took us a while to find a top-notch English Sparkling Wine that we could enthusiastically get behind, until we discovered Guy Smith and Laura Evans’ micro vineyard in the heart of Somerset. The 2018 is the sixth vintage of their classic fizz that we have listed.
| Style | White Wine, Sec, Light-bodied, Sparkling |
|---|---|
| Wine Region | England |
| Grape Variety (Cépage) | Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir |
| Food & Wine Matching | Oysters, Seafood |
| Viticulture | Non-Organic |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Vinification | A quarter of the harvest is matured in used-barrels from Bordeaux's Smith-Haut-Lafite, the remainder in stainless steel. Aged on its lees for 30 months prior to disgorgement and the addition of a low dosage (3g/L residual sugar), which makes it 'extra Brut' in Champagne terms. |
| Alcohol By Volume (%) | 12.5 |
Smith and Evans
Guy Smith and Laura Evans planted the vineyard at Higher Plot in 2008 after a four year search for the perfect site to produce the highest possible quality sparkling wine. They work in the vineyard all year from midwinter pruning through to harvest in late summer. By living with the seasons they are constantly able to watch how the vines develop and mature.
The White Lias Limestone Ridge of Higher Plot Farm has long been recognised as a special place that achieves early ripening and high quality fruit. There is terracing built into the hill that is at least 300 years old which was built for Orchards when Cider was seen as being of the same quality as the finest wines.
The free draining Calcerous Limestone soil is identical to some of the world's greatest vineyard sites and the local climate is one of the best in the UK for growing grapes. Burgundian Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier vines are planted on the south facing lower slopes and the first still and sparkling wine harvest was in 2010.
Alongside premium quality sparkling wine, they make cider from their orchard and a gin, distilled from botanicals grown in the vineyard.
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