Harlot Sparkling Rose
Launched in 2022 by Silverhand Estates as a companion brand to Silver Reign, Harlot proudly stands outside the traditional, sometimes strait-laced, offerings of the UK wine growers.
With a tag-line of “refuse to conform” (be it to a ‘Champagne’ style or ‘proper’ naming and labelling) it certainly turns heads and maybe raises a few hackles.
It’s a ‘fun bit on the side” but what is not in dispute is the wine’s quality – it’s certainly not a cheap gimmick, and is actually dryer than Silver Reign.
Made by the Charmat method from grapes grown in Kent and Essex – a blend of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay with a little Baccus adding some aromatic character.
Awards:
Silver Medal – London Wine Competition 2024.
Bursting aromas and flavours of elderflower, pears, red apples and ripe strawberries, with a palate tingling finish.
About the Producer
Silverhand Estate
Silverhand takes its name from King Ludd – a 1st Century King of the Trinovantes who, losing his hand in battle was stripped of his position until a preplacement hand of silver was made for him.
The Estate is located in Luddesdown, Kent – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They are passionate about protecting this environment with a dedicated conservation team working tirelessly across the estate to ensure the flora and fauna are able to thrive in the vineyards.
They have now established the largest single organic vineyard in the UK, covering an area of more than 600 acres and are defining the new norms of English sparkling wine.
The vision is to be the largest wine maker in the UK during 2025, increasing their number of vines to 3 million over 3 estates and taking their total organic cultivation to 1000 acres. They are planning a new winery, designed by Norman Foster’s company, that will be gravity fed and allow minimum mechanical intervention in the wine making.
The organic farming methods are a sustainable and healthy approach to agriculture that prioritises the health of the soil, the environment, and those who enjoy our wine.
Livestock are incorporated into the organic farm providing benefits such as grazing, fertilisation and pest control. Sheep – the rare breed Jacobs and Kentish breed Romneys graze between the vines ensuring optimal length for harvest and bud burst, whilst also helping the health of the soil.
They also raise a rare breed of English Longhorn cattle that help with regenerative farming. They break up the soil on pastures to remove unwanted growth and fertilise the land.
Whilst sparkling wine production is at the heart of everything done at Silverhand they also make a wide range of still wines – passionate about their craft and showcasing the exceptional wines produced.
The Estate is fortunate to share the same chalky flint soils, Kimmeridge clay, that run down into northern France, near Épône and Reims in Champagne, making the terroir perfect for growing the key grapes used in premium sparkling wine: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier.
