Tinwood Blanc de Blancs 2021 precisely demonstrates why sparkling wine from Sussex is rapidly gaining reputation. This English sparkling wine is made entirely from Chardonnay and comes from Tinwood Estate in Halnaker, near Chichester, at the foot of the South Downs. The 2021 vintage combines green apple, white tropical fruit, and a fresh, crisp opening with the sophistication you seek in a good Blanc de Blancs.
Tinwood Estate is located in West Sussex, in the south of England, a short distance from the coast and the South Downs.
• Location / Origin: The vineyard is in Halnaker, North Chichester, in West Sussex. This location on the edge of the South Downs gives Tinwood a distinctly cool English character with plenty of freshness.
• Climate & influences: The family farm is located about 3 miles from the sea. The combination of sea breeze, south-facing vines, and the shelter of the South Downs helps the grapes ripen slowly and evenly.
• Soil: The soil consists of loam, gravel, flint, and chalk. This combination provides drainage, tension, and the fresh, chalky precision that pairs well with sparkling Chardonnay.
• Vineyard & harvest: All grapes for Tinwood are grown on the family estate and harvested by hand. This aligns with the house's single vineyard approach, where the wine comes entirely from one's own vineyard.
This Blanc de Blancs is made as an English sparkling wine with a focus on freshness, fine mousse, and pure Chardonnay expression.
• Fermentation: Tinwood makes sparkling wines using the traditional method. What is the traditional method? It is the process where the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, giving the wine its fine bubbles and extra complexity.
• Dry balance: With 7 g/l dosage, the wine remains crisp and refreshing, while the small amount of sugar rounds off sharp acids and supports the fruity length.
• Technical tension: The 2021 vintage has 7.7 g/l total acidity and a pH of 3.05. This explains the fresh, energetic opening and the clean, lively finish.
• Alcohol percentage: With 12% alcohol, this Blanc de Blancs remains elegant and digestible, perfectly suiting the light, fresh style of English sparkling.
Blanc de Blancs literally means white wine from white grapes, and at Tinwood, this cuvée is entirely about Chardonnay.
• 100% Chardonnay – West Sussex: Chardonnay gives this sparkling wine its green apple, citrusy tension, fine structure, and elegant, chalky freshness.
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