Sugrue South Downs, 'The Trouble With Dreams' 2022

The Trouble with Dreams was Dermot Sugrue’s first cuvee released under his own name and remains the Sugrue flagship for very good reason. Inspired by the great grower Champagnes of the Cote des Blancs but rooted firmly in the chalk of the South Downs, this is one of the benchmark bottles of English sparkling wine. The 2022 vintage was warm, dry and exceptional, giving fruit with real ripeness, concentration and balance. Older, deep-rooted vines helped carry the wine through the drought, while careful use of French oak adds texture and quiet complexity without stealing the show. Open, bright, salty and electric, this is sparkling wine with both depth and drive. This wine balances the line between crisp and precise, while a low dosage of 6g/L lets the chalky freshness and generous 2022 fruit shine. A serious English fizz from the South Downs!