Sparkling 2023, St Hilary Vineyard, The Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

All hail the Vale! Tastes like: Citrus. Apple. Lemon Curd. Mineral. Fresh baked brioche. Toasted Almonds. Generous and Rich. Fine Mousse. Produced in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, St Hilary Sparkling Wine is a sophisticated newcomer to the Welsh viticultural scene and this, the first 2023 vintage was aptly released on St David’s Day in 2026 Crafted near to Cowbridge, this fantastic fizz is born from a young, high-potential estate planted on premium farmland nestled between an apple orchard and a wildflower meadow. This wine truly captures the provenance of the Vale of Glamorgan’s very special microclimate and is made with 100% Welsh grown grapes verified in Wales too. A classic "Champagne" blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grown on south-facing, gently sloping vines it’s made using the same respected traditional method as top sparkling wines. And this is a toasty and complex tipple that genuinely tops many top cuvées we’ve tried from the most illustrious Champagne houses. It comes from our friends Liz and Peter Loch whose winemaking approach is defined by a "low intervention" philosophy, and vinified by the experienced team at Mountain People Wine in Monmouthshire. As well as a sustainable approach in the vineyard the juice then underwent a natural fermentation without the use of filtering or fining agents. The wine achieves a remarkable structural depth and tastes like it’s undergone far more than its 12 months aging on lees. Credit to the team and a nod too to the terroir of sun soaked the Cotes du Glamorgan in South Wales! WALES - 2023 - 10% - 75cl Low Intervention - Sustainable - Vegetarian - Vegan