Simpsons 'Flint Fields' Blanc de Noirs Brut 2020

Simpsons Wine Estate is situated in the Elham Valley; an unspoilt seam in the North Downs of Kent where the contours of the land, the climate and the soil are excellent for viticulture. The intensely lime-rich chalk soil forms part of the same chalk ridge that stretches from southern England through Champagne to Burgundy. The Guyot pruned vines are trained on vertical foliage wires to help with canopy management. The Pinot Noir vines are planted at a density of 4,200 vines per hectare from the revered Burgundy 115 clone. They are grown on south facing slopes, ensuring heat accumulation in the day and cold air drainage at night. The vineyard is less than eight miles from the coast, providing a crucial maritime influence insulating the fruit against intense temperature variations. Grass cover crops between the rows encourage biodiversity within the vineyard. Pruning and harvesting takes place by hand and they are signed up to the WineGB’s Sustainability Scheme.

Clone 115 was selected to create a more full-bodied style owing to a slight accentuation of tannins, developing into a more luxurious texture. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks where it underwent malolactic conversion and spent three months on its lees imparting a creamy mouth-feel. The wines were blended and bottled to obtain the ‘prise de mousse’. After the secondary bottle fermentation was complete, maturation on the lees lasted two years prior to disgorgement, followed by six months ageing on cork.