Digby Blanc de Blancs Brut 2013
Digby’s first Blanc de Blancs is an expressive, racy expression, bursting with precise fruit and delicate honeyed pastry tones.
Grape Varieties: Chardonnay
About:
One of the most planted grape varieties in the world, Chardonnay is now found in virtually every wine region across the globe. Primarily used for sparkling wine production in the UK, there are increasing examples of varietal still whites and blends using the variety. Classically blended with red varieties, PInot Noir and Pinot Meunier, using the Champagne method, it is also used to make 100% Chardonnay méthode champenoise wines (Blanc de Blancs).
Early bud burst makes it susceptible to damage from frost but in the growing season it can be quite vigorous. Acids can be quite high at harvest (thus making it suitable for sparkling wine) but secondary fermentation (and malolactic fermentation) softens this out.
In sparkling wine, Chardonnay tends to provide the ‘backbone’ and ‘structure’ but flavour characteristics tend to include citrus, apple and orchard fruit notes. In still wines (some of the more successful examples have included those by Chapel Down and Simpsons) there is a similar flavour profile along with peach and apricot notes.
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Flint Venn Multi Vintage ‘VMV’
A charismatic and distinctive multi-vintage blend from Flint Vineyard in Norfolk.
Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2009
Gloriously developed with biscuity richness, ripe stone fruit and vivid lemon or yuzu citrus.
Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2007
A zippy, youthful nerviness combined with the promise of structure and refinement.
Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2003
Few sparkling wines in the world outside of Champagne can combine the broadness of expression yet reined in restraint that this wine still shows at nearly 20 years old.
Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 1998
On the side of caramelised fruit and pastry, with a rich nuttiness but still a briskness and citrus bite.
Chapel Down Kit’s Coty Chardonnay 2018
A sumptuous mixture of ripe stone fruit and crisp orchard and citrus fruits, while the 13.5% ABV brings a glamorous richness.
Exton Park RB45 Blanc de Blancs
Crunchy green apple, citrus zest with light creamy waves and a touch of creamy lemon posset.
Langham Blanc de Blancs 2017
So beautifully textured, ushered in by a soft, supple mousse and wild purity.
Bride Valley Dorset Chardonnay 2019
Packed full of crunchy green orchard fruit, with crisp apples and greengage, and hints of white pepper and lemon.
Artelium Artefact #2 Barrel Aged Chardonnay 2020
Crisp, taut crunchy apples and zesty flavours, then a lightly peachy weight that leads to a lengthy finish.
Oastbrook Chardonnay Oak 2020
Understated and elegant: there’s a bright nose of red apple and citrus zest, with a mineral, struck match note.
Woolton Chardonnay Pet-Nat 2020
A light off-dry sweetness that adds body and a light generosity compared to the sometimes bracing dryness of most Pét-Nat wines.
Lyme Bay Chardonnay 2020
A fusion of green apple, poached pear and peachy notes with an underlying bitter orange complexity.
Balfour Skye’s Chardonnay 2020
An understated white peach, crisp green apple, tingling citrus and mineral finish.
Greyfriars NOOR 2020
Green apple, citrus, white peach, and a flinty minerality with a light textured nuttiness.
Artelium Blanc de Blancs Twenty Fifteen
This is classic Blanc de Blancs territory – baked apple, hints of pear and peach on the nose as well as an indulgent biscuity pastry note.
Artelium Chardonnay Twenty Twenty
Brisk, crisp acidity and crunchy orchard fruit flavours, with the zing of tangy pineapple and rounder white peach flavours.
Simpsons Roman Road Chardonnay 2020
A promising Chardonnay with notes of ripe apple and peach, butterscotch and toasted spice.
Danbury Ridge Chardonnay Octagon Block 2018
Quite simply the juiciest, ripest, most textural English Chardonnay there is.
Exton Park RB32 Brut
The signature Exton Park crunchy acidity and purity was there in spades, supported by soft waves of ripe apple, peach skin and even suggestions of melon.
Albourne Estate Chardonnay Barrel 24 2018
Brisk, bold but subtly tempered acidity integrates nicely with rich peachy and apricot flavours.
Balfour Hush Heath Saignée Rosé 2018
The generosity and ripeness of the 2018 vintage manifests itself in waves of ripe red and black berries.
Woodchester Valley Reserve Cuvée 2017
Ripe fruit at the forefront with an orchard fruit fusion of ripe red apple, and generous peachiness.