Danebury Sparkling Cossack 2014

A new vintage has just been released of Danebury’s Sparkling Cossack, which is a blend of 95% Auxerrois and 5% Pinot Gris. Auxerrois is a cross between two grapes; Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir, which is also believed to be the same ancestry as Chardonnay.

The Cossack is a spritely sparkling wine, pale in colour with many streams of fine, lively bubbles. On the nose, there are aromas of pear and green apple, with light citrus and soft floral tones.

The low dosage (2g/l) works so very well here, letting the delicate, expressive green orchard fruit and light floral tones really sing. It’s a subtle wine, not dominated by citrus; more of a tangy grapefruit note with white peach flavours on the mid-taste.

There’s a pleasing drying length, while a subtle mineral salinity lends this wine well to light seafood pairings.