WINE REVIEW
I had the chance to visit the delightful Rowles Vineyard in Berkshire during English Wine Week for the launch of this, their first Bacchus.
Rowles Farm is a third-generation farming business, with twins William and Thomas Carlisle, together with sister Georgie, planting 30,000 vines on their farm in the village of West Ilsley.
With winemaking handled by the skilful hands of Ben Smith and the Itasca wine team, this is a very classy first release. On the nose there are fragrant aromas of lime zest, hedgerow and tropical fruit, with just enough elderflower to remind you that this is English Bacchus.
To taste, this is a really accomplished, modern Bacchus. All the expected citrus fruit leads to a really classy mixture of gooseberry, guava and pear. The acidity is well balanced, and the elderflower that dances over the top never overwhelms like it can with more traditional Bacchus.
