Pinot Gris, Bacchus
75cl * Vegan * 12.0% ABV * Horsham, England
Tucked away in the Weald Hills near Horsham, this is a quintessentially English vineyard... with Italian flare. Andrea, the grape grower, clearly sees the magic in the surrounding area and although isn't certified organic, does everything in his power to work with the natural world to create the best wine he can from his beloved terroir.
The 2020 Pinot Gris (85%) and Bacchus (15%) blend comes from handpicked grapes that are destemmed and then softly pressed to release the juice. The free-run must is then decanted for 24 hours before being fermented in old French and American oak for 21 days before natural malolactic fermentation occurs. The wine spends a further 12 months in the oak and then rests in the bottles for 4 to 5 months.
The resulting wine is dry and bright. Fruitiness appears to be dominant at first, but then a really good freshness takes over, while maintaining the oakiness of the barrels. There's a long finish. Would pair excellently with curried salmon, risotto Milenese, a spicy chorizo paella and rich feta dishes as well as simple charcuterie and tomato pasta sauces.
Drinking Window - now to 2027