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Not that many decades ago, it was inconceivable that England’s cool climate would produce globally recognised wines. Yet, here we are, in the midst of a booming national wine making industry proving our mild climate can produce world leading English white wines.
As European countries struggle with stifling summer heat, English winegrowers are taking advantage of our warm climate and planting high quality and well-known grape varieties to produce truly unique wines.
From the chalky ground of the South Downs to the gravelly slopes of the Thames Valley, and the loamy earth of the South West, the different soils result in English white wines with elegant flavours and a strong sense of terroir. It’s these characteristics that are driving a global fan base as more and more people enjoy these wines.
From crisp and aromatic varietals like Bacchus (arguably England’s signature grape due to its early ripening qualities) to richer, more complex wines such as Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, English white wines offer a diverse array of styles to suit every palate. Lympstone Manor, the acclaimed luxury country house hotel on the banks of the Exe Estuary in East Devon, has just launched their first English Chardonnay.
In partnership with Devon’s Lyme Bay Winery, the barrel aged wine is produced from hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes grown on the south facing slopes of the Lympstone Manor Estate vineyard. The Chardonnay represents a small and exclusive production of 549 bottles, each one individually numbered. A fitting tribute for its incredible quality of this truly outstanding wine made from a single vineyard estate.
Named “Edwards”, the Lympstone Manor Estate Chardonnay is a tribute to longstanding Director of Operations and Vineyard Manager, Steve Edwards, who has worked alongside Michael Caines for more than 30 years.
I am extremely proud of what has been created at LympstoneManor and to be a part of Michael’s team. The vineyard is now starting to realise its potential and within a few short years since planting has produced award winning wines of outstanding quality. I have no doubt that the 2022 Chardonnay will receive the same recognition in due course and I am extremely honoured to have my name on the label.
Steve Edwards, Director of Operations and Vineyard Manager
The first release of still English Chardonnay from Lympstone Manor Estate’s vineyard is due to the fantastic level of fruit ripeness from an exceptional vintage. The resulting wine delivers an attractive style with subtle notes of almond, toasted oak, and some spice. It is very textural, and the palate has a buttery richness with well-integrated fruit, is beautifully balanced with bright acidity and a lengthy persistent finish. The Chardonnay grapes are hand harvested specially selected bunches sourced exclusively from our vineyard at Lympstone Manor. The wine was fermented in old French oak followed by a full malolactic fermentation before further aging for 11 months in barrel with regular bâtonnage before bottling.
The English Chardonnay will sit alongside its multi award-winning wines, 2020 Triassic Pinot Noir, launched in the Spring of 2022, and the 2020 Classic Cuvée and 2022 Isabeau Rosé, both launched in the Autumn 2023.
