Blanc de Noirs NV
English Varietal Wine, Surrey, England
100% Pinot Noir | 12.0% ABV
We are delighted to offer you this outstanding sparkling wine made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes produced in the Surrey region of England. Enhanced by over 36 months of lees ageing, the complex fruit flavours combined with a chalkiness give the wine a good body whilst retaining freshness. The balance is crisp with a long finish.
The NV Blanc de Noirs has a delicate golden shine and has fruit aromas of strawberries, pear, apple and cocoa.
Service: Serve chilled at 8-10ºC.
Food Pairing: To be enjoyed as an aperitif, with smoked salmon or with apple crumble.
The winemaker Matthieu Elzinga does a brilliant job at crafting the wines at Albury Estate. He is a winemaker at Litmus Wines, a premium contract winemaker located in Surrey. Matthieu is truly passionate about wine-making and works closely with the team to get the best out of every single grape, helping in establishing a distinct Albury house style. Matthieu ran his own family vineyard in the Loire Valley for many years, but prefers the challenge that making wine in England brings!
Albury Vineyard is the result of Nick Wenman's passion for quality wine. Nick planted the vineyard in 2009 having retired from the IT industry to fulfil his dream of owning a vineyard. The 9-hectare Vineyard is situated on the southern slopes of the North Downs in the beautiful Surrey Hills. The vines are the traditional Champagne varietals of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, as well as some Seyval and Pinot Gris.
Sustainability is at the core of the business and reflects in the way the vineyard is managed alongside nature. The vineyard is home to half a million honey bees, vital for preserving ecological balance and biodiversity.
3* Sustainability Rating: Pioneer
Albury Organic Vineyard, located in Surrey, stands out as a leading example of sustainable viticulture in the UK. Founded in 2009 by owner Nick Wenman, the vineyard has become a paragon of organic and biodynamic practices, with a deep-seated philosophy that sustainability permeates every aspect of their operation. Their commitment to these principles is reflected in their certifications for both organic and biodynamic farming, as well as their accreditation with Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB).
With 13 hectares under management, 80% of which are dedicated to vines, Albury produces an average of 160 hectolitres of wine annually. The vineyard is powered by a mix of energy sources, including electricity from a standard contract with a mix of energy sources, and diesel. They are working towards full sustainability in energy usage and packaging, with current ratings at 50% in these areas.
Albury Vineyard has been an independent producer for 15 years and employs a small team of 1-5 permanent employees, supplemented by 6-10 temporary workers and volunteers during peak seasons. The vineyard’s approach to viticulture is steeped in a tradition of nurturing the environment, with a clear vision to be widely recognised as a leading sustainable producer of English wine within the next decade.
Climate change and its variable impacts present the most significant challenge for Albury, but they are proactively mitigating these effects. Their approach to biodiversity conservation is comprehensive, involving consistent habitat preservation and promotion of native plants. They also maintain industry-leading soil health practices, including holistic approaches like no-till farming and the use of compost teas.
In the winemaking process, Albury eschews synthetic pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides in favour of natural and biodynamic methods, and employs restricted sulphur usage to control mildew. The philosophy in the cellar is one of minimal intervention, allowing the organic and biodynamic characteristics of the grapes to express themselves fully in the wine. Wild or indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation, and sulphur dioxide additions are kept below 50 mg per litre for all their wines.
Albury Vineyard is not only committed to environmental sustainability but also social responsibility. They actively engage in community support, ensure that all staff and temporary workers are paid at least the Living Wage, and provide comprehensive benefits, including share ownership for key staff members. The management team boasts strong female representation, with 50% board membership and two-thirds management positions held by women.
Looking to the future, Albury Organic Vineyard aspires to continue promoting local wines and educating the public on biodiversity and regenerative farming through initiatives like their Wildlife Walk. With comprehensive sustainability objectives in place, Albury Organic Vineyard has earned its 3* Pioneer rating, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to sustainability in all facets of their operation, combined with a recognition of the further work to do and plans in place to improve further.
White | Sparkling | 75cl | 12% ABV | SO2 88mg/L
Recognition: Blanc de Noirs 2018: Decanter 2022: Gold, IEWA 2022: Gold
Cellaring: Ready to drink now.
Vinification: Bottled in March 2019, matured on the lees for 36 months
- Organic - Practising (Uncertified)
- Vegan - Practising (Uncertified)
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