Nyetimber Vineyard
Nyetimber Vineyard
Gay Street
West Chiltington
Pulborough
Sussex
Wines produced Quality Sparkling
Vine types
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The idea of creating a rival to French champagne prompted Stuart and Sandy Moss
from Chicago to buy the Nyetimber estate in 1986. Their listed manor house, mentioned in
Domesday Book, was once home to Anne of Cleves, 4th. wife of Henry VIII.
The type of earth in the valley, known as greensand ,is the same as that running through the wine-growing regions of eastern France and the vines were selected from the Champagne region. After 10 hard years work, the 1992 Blanc de Blancs methode champenoise went on sale and received rave reviews and International medals. All wine is fermented with traditional French yeasts and stored for 3 years in the bottle that it is served in. In the ultra-modern winery, the latest disgorging machine is used to remove the sediment from the bottle and to add the dosage. Prior to release it is carefully labelled and checked for impurities. In the early days of production, the French were less than convinced, despite the presence of Jean-Manual Jacquinot to advise on wine making. However they got a shock in 1997 when at a blind tasting, the 100% Chardonnay Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 1992 caused a debate as to which French area it came from.
It came top of an English sparkling wine blind tasting. Served by the Queen at several receptions for Heads of State,Nyetimber is undoubtedly the top English wine
and one that will raise the profile and standards of the industry. |
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