Graham Beck Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Brut NV Western Cape, South Africa 13.99
54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir. Graham Beck is a family-owned business with 2 wineries, one in Robertson and the other in
Franschhoek. Grapes grown on natural limestone in Robertson and Table Mountain, sandstone and shale in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Hand-harvested at 65 - 80hl/ha. After 100% whole-bunch pressing the 2 varieties were fermented separately then cross blended along with reserve wine. About 30% of the wine was fermented in 205l barrels. After bottling the wine was left on lees for 15 – 18 months before disgorgement. Winemaker Pieter Ferreira. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Alc 12%, TA 5.3g/l, pH 3.25, RS 8.5g/l.
Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 256 branches.

Dry and zingy. Rather green. Not my thing.

Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury 2010 Sussex, England 22.99
61% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir and 12% Pinot Meunier from 18-year-old vines planted on chalky South Downs. Site chosen for similarity to Champagne. 2010 saw superb flowering conditions in June and high temperatures in late Sept leading to excellent ripening with near to perfect sugar and acidity for sparkling wine. Grapes were hand harvested and the clusters were whole-bunch pressed before fermentation with Champagne yeast. 100% malolactic and 24 months spent cellaring on lees in purpose built underground cellars. Winemakers Mike Roberts, Simon Roberts and Charlie Holland. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Alc 12%, TA 8.3g/l, pH 3.01, Dosage 8.0g/l, RS 9.2g/l. IWSC and IWC Silver and DWWA Bronze Medal Winner. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 231 branches.

Not much smell. Some texture, dry and pithy. Pretty long.

Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2008 West Sussex, England 29.99
79% Chardonnay, 13% Pinot Noir and 8% Pinot Meunier grown on estate-owned south-facing slopes of greensand soil on the 430 acre Nyetimber estate in West Sussex. These 21-year-old vines have been joined by some newer 3-year-old plantings. All the fruit was handpicked in mid to late-October. Grapes were whole-bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel with Champagne yeast. After bottling the wine was aged on lees for 3 years to gain richness and complexity. Winemaker Cherie Spriggs. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Alc 12.0%, TA 9.2g/l, pH 3.2, RS 12.0g/l. IWSC, DWWA and IWC Silver Medal Winner. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct
and 231 branches.

Lovely full aroma. Full-flavoured and with citrous acidity. Biscuity finish. If this were mine I’d sit on it for a couple of years.

Waitrose Brut NV Champagne 19.99
60% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 10% Chardonnay from new supplier Duval-Leroy. The grapes were sourced from 25 - 30 crus. The Pinots were chosen on the basis of the elegance, texture and fruit character that they bring to the cuvée, whilst the use of reserve wine adds complexity. Winemaker Sandrine Logette-Jardin. Alc 12.5%. TA 4.65g/l, pH 3.12. RS 9.0g/l. New blend available in branch from November. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 285 branches.

Not a great deal on the nose. The taste is typical and pleasant enough.

Ayala Brut Majeur NV Champagne 28.99
45% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Meunier. Ayala was purchased in 2001 by the Bollinger family group. Ayala has benefited from a substantial investment programme, defining the elegant and always low-dosage style of the Ayala range. Ayala is also now benefiting from being able to source its grapes from Bollinger’s ownership of 163ha of Premier and Grand cru vineyards and long-term contracts held by Bollinger with many of the Champagne region’s top growers. This wine has spent more than 2.5 years on its lees in cellars, and rested for 3 months after disgorgement. Winemaker Nicolas Klym. Alc 12.5%, TA 4.3g/l , pH 3.11, RS 8.5g/l. IWC Silver Medal Winner. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 100 branches.

Nice biscuity aroma. All sorts of flavours on this. Quite savoury and leesy.

Bredon Cuvée Jean Louis Brut NV Champagne 29.99
40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay from Champagne Lombard & Cie, an independent family business for 3 generations. Vines are grown on chalky soils with clay. Grapes were hand-harvested and 1st fermentation took place in thermoregulated stainless steel vats. Full malolactic in inox tanks and then the 2nd fermentation took place in bottle. Aged on lees for at least 18 months at 12°C. Winemaker Laurent Vaillant. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Alc 12.5%, TA 4.25g/l, pH 3.13, RS 9.0g/l. IWSC and DWWA Bronze Medal Winner. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 285 branches.

Quite a sweet nose. Very savoury taste. Long and dry.

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