10th August 2021: Chapel Down, England’s leading wine producer, has launched a collection of limited-edition wines that each offer a unique discovery in to the world of English wine. The new collection, titled ‘Discovery Series’, has been released with four initial still wines, including a Pinot Noir Rosé, a Pinot Blanc, an Orange Bacchus and an Albariño.
Considered pioneers of the English wine industry, Chapel Down have always been at the forefront of innovation. From launching England’s first Coeur de Cuvee in 2017 to breaking a world record for the largest and fastest crowdfund in 2014, they continually push the boundaries of what is considered possible from such a young and emerging industry.
Part of a five year innovation project from Chapel Down’s head winemaker, Josh Donaghay-Spire, the Discovery Series seeks to showcase the versatility of grape varieties and winemaking practises in England, rivalling those of its international counterparts. This includes the latest vintages of England’s first Orange wine and England’s first Albariño.
Josh Donaghay-Spire, Head Winemaker at Chapel Down, said: “With England still being a relatively young wine region, there is still so much to discover about the terroir and the potential of different varieties. Our mission with the Discovery Series is to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in this country – both in the vineyard and in the winery – to produce wines that excite our customers and that compete on the world stage of fine wines.”
The Discovery Series is a collection of limited-edition wines that each offer a fresh perspective on English wine. Starting with the winner of a silver medal at the Wine GB Awards 2021, the Discovery Series Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 (RRP £20.00, 11.5% ABV) is the winery’s first 100% Pinot Noir rosé still wine. With its Pinot Noir usually reserved for its premium sparkling wines, the fruit from the exceptional 2020 vintage gave near perfect conditions to produce a stunning single varietal rosé expression. Derived from 100% Pinot Noir grape, hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, it is beautifully light in colour, akin to Provence style of the Rosé Renaissance. With hints of cranberry, raspberry and citrus on the nose, the wine is almost weightless in texture but balanced by fresh acidity and a long, clean finish.
The Discovery Series Pinot Blanc 2018 (RRP £20.00, 12% ABV) is an excellent example of this delicate grape variety, Chapel Down’s Pinot Blanc 2018 offers creamy textures and a rich mouthfeel that helps to balance the floral aromas and high acidity. Drawing on Josh’s experience in Alsace, the 2018 vintage is a great example of the incredibly delicate variety that can be produced in the UK, with the ambition to rival the classic Alsatians. With the unoaked Pinot Blanc undergoing malolactic fermentation and extended time on lees, the end result is a perfect pair to seafood, summer salads and Thai food; an ideal alternative to Pinot Grigio, with flavours of apricot and toasted oats.
The Discovery Series Albariño 2018 (RRP £20.00, 12% ABV) is the latest vintage of England’s first Albariño and has delicate herbal aromas with hints of lemon and apricot, and a citrus and floral palate. A grape variety best known for its planting in Galicia, Spain, a trial planting in Kent several years ago proved hugely successful thanks to England’s similar Maritime climate, creating a highly aromatic wine, with more weight than traditional Galician Albariños, and with fresh and creaminess on the palate to be paired with salmon dishes.
The second England first in the collection comes from Chapel Down’s latest Orange Bacchus vintage, the Discovery Series Orange Bacchus 2018 (RRP £20.00, 12% ABV), truly showing the diversity and character of England’s signature grape. Available in extremely limited quantities, the wine was producedby fermenting Bacchus juice in contact with its skins to extract additional aroma, flavour and tannin before maturation in old oak barrels, the results are intense with herbal aromas of black tea and citrus pith on the nose. This is complete with a dry palate with flavours of cape gooseberry and woodsmoke on the finish, paired perfectly with hard cheeses. With England increasingly becoming known for Bacchus as a white wine varietal, Josh was eager to explore the potential of this versatile variety.
The Discovery Series is exclusively available from the Chapel Down winery shop and www.chapeldown.com, as well as in selected restaurants and bars.