| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | England |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Sparkling |
The NV Brut Classic Cuvée Edition I is the inaugural release of Champagne Taittinger’s English sparkling wine project founded in 2014, made from vines planted in 2017 in chalk and flint soils in Kent. It is based on the 2020 vintage with around 25% of reserve wines dating to the tiny first vintage of 2018 and the first proper vintage in 2019, all fermented and aged in stainless steel only, undergoing full malolactic conversion. The wine is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier, reflecting the current plantings at the 69-hectare estate. A citric, bright lemon and green apple freshness defines the lively nose of the wine. More air allows lemony Viennoiserie to peep through, as well as an ozone breeze. Fine, creamy bubbles immediately distinguish the slender palate, where more lemon freshness is bedded in the smoothness of that exemplary mousse. An impressive and elegant debut, svelte and clean-cut, especially considering the Pinot Noir dominance of the wine. Châpeau.
The first release of a project that brings Taittinger to England, Domaine Evremond was co-founded by the Taittinger family and Patrick McGrath MW. A blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier, this wine spent three years on the lees before disgorgement in 2024. Bright, pale straw in the glass, the nose is quintessentially English sparkling, bursting with notes of apple blossom, honeysuckle and lemon verbena. The palate is built around a streak of lively acidity, the mousse with a creamy texture that adds body and depth to the green-fruited core. There is a suppleness thanks to this, contrasting a chalky edge with light bready notes in the background. With 7g/l dosage, this is a finely-balanced, refreshing and bright wine that is a strong first effort as the team learns how the young vines react to their surroundings.
