As the popularity of English sparkling wine continues to grow, with English sparkling wine production outstripping English still wine production, new Cornish winery Knightor has released its first sparkling wine – Knightor Brut NV.
Knightor Brut NV consists of the best grapes from Knightor's two vineyards, which have approximately 17,000 vines between them. The vineyards benefit from the milder Cornish weather, which has helped winemaker James Thomas to develop a range of distinctively English, light and highly drinkable still and sparkling wines. A blend of Seyval Blanc, Reichensteiner, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir make Knightor Brut NV a quintessential expression of English sparkling wine.
Grapes for this non-vintage sparkling wine were hand picked into small crates before being very gently whole bunch pressed. It was fermented in small, separate batches, mainly in stainless steel, with a small amount in old oak barriques. Following blending the wine underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle and after nine months lees ageing, was disgorged early to preserve the fresh and fruit nuances of the style.
"Our aim is to reflect the inherent characteristics of English wine", comments James Thomas, Knightor's up and coming young winemaker, "and this means a lighter, more elegant style of wine."
