Halfpenny Green Penny Red
A medium dry red (11.5 g/l) made from 73% Rondo, 10% Pinot Noir, 10% Regent and 7% Triomphe
Rondo is grown in over 100 British vineyards as it is a very early maturing variety and also highly resistant to winter frost and downy mildew; Regent grapes also grow well in colder wetter climates, and have good sugar levels; Triomphe is a clone from Alsace and another with good mildew resistance. Pinot Noir need little introduction.
Grapes were destemmed, crushed, and fermented on their skins to extract colour and flavour. Once finished, they were pressed out underwent malolactic fermentation. Selected lots were then aged in the presence of oak staves for nine months, before blending with a small amount of reserve to maintain consistency and add character.
Medium bodied and fruit driven. Aroma of violets plus plum and spice on the nose with a body of ripe blackcurrant and forest fruits; then a long lingering aftertaste and smooth tannins.
Serve with game, red meats and particularly with medium-strong cheese.
About the Producer
Halfpenny Green Wine Estate
It was the vision of farmer Martin Vickers, a third-generation agricultural farmer, to plant a vineyard that would one day match continental sites. Today, 40 years later, 30 acres of vines are managed by Martin and produce award-winning wines crafted by his son Clive.
Halfpenny Green Wine Estate is situated in the south Staffordshire part of the Severn Valley, 250ft above sea level in well-sheltered south facing slopes, with light, sandy, free-draining soil.
The first ½ acre was planted in 1983 and by 1991 a further 22 acres were added. Today the vineyard totals almost 30 acres, making it one of the largest in the UK.
The vines comprise of sixteen different varieties with familiar grapes such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir featuring prominently and are used in producing the Estate’s award-winning sparkling wines, amongst others.
Due to the cooler climate, a variety of weather-hardy grapes are also grown throughout the site, including varietals such as Bacchus, Huxelrebe, Madeleine Angevine, Regent, Rondo and Schönburger. This means that, even with the Great British weather, the vines still have good yield and produce high quality grapes.
The Estate’s winery was built in 2005 and produces between 50-60,000 bottles of own-label wine each year, all made using grapes grown on site and winning many regional, national and international awards in the process.
The winery also carries out contract winemaking and bottling for over 50 other vineyards around England and Wales.
