An exciting day for Simpsons Wine Estate as the Kent vineyard has revealed its first wine, The Roman Road Chardonnay 2016.
Produced from grapes picked during the first harvest in October last year, the Chardonnay is only available in limited quantities, with just 680 bottles having been produced.
To produce the finished product, Charlie Simpson – co-owner and co-founder – revealed primary and malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, before moving the liquid to spend three months in French oak barrels.
'We planted our first vines in the Roman Road vineyard in 2014 and carried out our first harvest last October,' said Simpson. 'We wanted to set aside a small quantity of Chardonnay to make our first still wine from the estate and we are very happy with the result. If the weather allows, we hope to be able to continue to produce a small amount of The Roman Road Chardonnay in future years.'
'Our Roman Road vineyard is situated on the sunny, sheltered slopes of the North Downs of Kent, the Garden of England,' added co-owner Ruth Simpson. 'Exuding a true sense of place, our Roman Road Chardonnay is elegant and linear, with a distinctive mineral quality that you would expect from fruit grown on these iconic chalk soils.'
Created from Chardonnay clone 584, the single vineyard white wine is said to have aromas of white peach and lime, followed by smooth flavours of cashew nut and hints of spice.
Get it while you can...
RRP £22.99, simpsonswine.com
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