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Chapel Down at Le Gavroche 1 Sq

12th April 2022

Chapel Down launches Vintage Reserve 2019 exclusively for the premium on-trade

Chapel Down, England’s leading wine producer, has today announced the release of a vintage sparkling wine which will be available exclusively to the premium on-trade.

Vintage Reserve 2019 is a traditional blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc and is aged for 18 months on lees. Produced from the 2019 vintage which saw a warm and dry Spring followed by an extended summer season, the hand harvested fruit is sourced primarily from vineyards in Kent.

Created specifically to be paired with food, the Vintage Reserve 2019 (12% ABV) has a lower dosage of 5g/l which results in a clean and refreshing sparkling wine with higher acidity that works perfectly across a variety of dishes. Aromas of Bramley apple, lemon shortbread and light red berries are followed by subtle toasty characters, crisp acidity and fine persistent bubbles.

Head Winemaker, Josh Donaghay-Spire, said: “The on-trade has always been important to us at Chapel Down and, following a particularly challenging two years for restaurant and bars, I’m incredibly proud to be releasing a wine specifically for this sector. Our Vintage Reserve 2019 is a great expression of quality English sparkling wine and offers the versatility to be able to pair with a variety of dishes, from grilled seafood to veal and poultry.”

The wine will appear on some of the UK’s finest wine lists, including at The Hand and Flowers, Le Gavroche, Midsummer House, The George Fitzrovia and Oxeye.

Remi Cousin, Head Sommelier of Le Gavroche, said: “Chapel Down Vintage Reserve 2019 is a charming wine from bottle to glass. An elegant English sparkling with an equally elegant label, we are delighted to be one of the first restaurants to serve it to our guests.”

Gavin Hills, Assistant Restaurant Manager of The Hand and Flowers, added: “A magnificent wine from one of England’s leading winemakers. With the expected crisp English acidity, the Vintage Reserve would pair nicely with a delicious piece of grilled cod or turbot served simply with some buttered cabbage and potatoes, Sunday roast pork with all the trimmings, or quite rightly just being savoured on its own (with company of course!).”

Sven Britt, Founder and Executive Chef of the Oxeye, said: “A super classic English Sparkling that always does really well with our customers, and this lower dosage, which I think is the way forward, just works so beautifully with the start of our menu here at Oxeye. A perfect aperitif and a wonderfully timed release, just in time for some sunshine!”

Dom Jacobs, The George in Fitzrovia, said: “The English wine industry is going from strength to strength and we are very proud at The George to be displaying one of the most comprehensive English wine lists in the world to recognise this. The Vintage Reserve 2019 is a welcome addition to the list and is a perfect partner to Carlingford oysters and Loch Duart Salmon with wild garlic butter.”

Chapel Down Vintage Reserve is available through a number of national and regional wholesalers. Prices vary per on trade location. For further details and to enquire about stocking the wine, please contact Chapel Down sales office on 01580 763033.

Vineyard in sun

The Chapel Down Winery

Chapel Down are England’s leading winemaker with a mission to change the way the world thinks about English wine.

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