Halfpenny Green Sparkling Brut
English sparkling wine made in the Methode Traditional; over 18 months bottle age adds complexity and, like the top Champagnes, a biscuity character.
It comprises 52% Chardonnay, 27% Seyval Blanc and 21% Pinot Noir grapes. The majority of the fruit used is grown on the Halfpenny estate, with a portion of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir taken from external sites. All estate vines are grown on the double-guyot system.
Grapes were whole-bunched pressed and separated into different pressing fractions. The wines were fermented at 16°C, before undergoing full malolactic fermentation. They were then left to age in-tank for up to six months, before blending and bottling for secondary fermentation. Bottled wines are left for at least 18 months to allow for good fermentation and complex autolytic flavours to develop, before being disgorged.
A pale gold colour with a delicate mousse that is not lacking in bubbles. A soft, rounded mouthfeel has a dry and light citrus finish – notes of green apple and lemon – with a little hazelnut and brioche character developed from its 18 month ageing. A rich and complex wine.
Serve on its own as the perfect aperitif; or pair with oysters, crab or fish.
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.
