Simpsons Wine Estate has released its first Blanc de Blanc, White Cliffs 2017. The new offering from the English sparkling wine producer is limited to just 1,500 bottles.
Simpsons White Cliffs 2017 is made from estate-grown Chardonnay grapes from its vineyards in Barham, Kent. The wine comes from the Simpson’s second harvest, in 2017.
“For the 2017 vintage of White Cliffs, we hand-picked Chardonnay grapes from two specially-selected sparkling clones from our Roman Road Vineyard,” explained co-owner Charles Simpson. “As this was only our second harvest from the ten-hectare plantation, we produced a very limited number of bottles of this premium wine. In time, the volume will increase, although we are keen to maintain its exclusivity and exquisite quality, attributes that have become synonymous with our wines.”
The wines are all named after local landmarks or features of the terroir of the North Downs of Kent.
“’White Cliffs’ seemed to be a fitting name for our Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine, given our proximity to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, and our intensely lime-rich chalk soil,” added Ruth Simpson. “[This] forms part of the same chalk ridge that stretches from southern England to the French Champagne region and on to Burgundy.”
White Cliffs Blanc de Blancs 2017 is pale gold in color with a fine mousse. It offers classic aromas of citrus and green apple, balanced with subtle, toasted brioche notes and distinctive minerality, ending in a rich, persistent finish.
Established by Ruth and Charles Simpson in 2012, Simpsons Wine Estates’ first harvest took place in 2016 The couple, however, had already spent more than a decade producing their own wine, having bought Domaine Sainte Rose in the Languedoc in the early 2000’s.
In 2019, the estate launched what it claimed was the UK’s first still wine to be made with 100% Pinot Meunier.
For more information, head over to the winery’s official website.
