English sparkling wine producer Everflyht is a single vineyard estate in Ditchling, East Sussex, making sparkling wines from fruit grown on the 10-hectare estate. The current total plantings are 6.8 hectares with the rest reserved for biodiversity areas across the estate. Varietals planted are predominantly Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, as well as some Pinot Gris, Pinot Précoce and Gamay.
Everflyht has now released its Rosé de Saignée 2020, a blend of hand-picked Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes sourced from their single estate vineyard in Ditchling, East Sussex.
Both the Pinot Noir (66 per cent) and Meunier (34 per cent) grapes underwent a meticulous process, including destemming and a 20-hour co-maceration. The grapes were then divided between barrels and steel tanks for co-fermentation with 29% of the wine then aged for 8 months in Old Burgundy barrels (6th fill).
With an ABV of 12 per cent, Everflyht Rosé de Saignée 2020 is distinguished by its delicate coral pink hue and boasts an enticingly fruit-forward profile. The palate reveals an abundance of ripe cherries and summer red fruits, balanced with subtle layers of patisserie and candied notes.
“We are delighted to present our Rosé de Saignée 2020” said founder Ben Ellis. “It’s a premium English sparkling wine, with plenty of fruit, flavour and individuality and blends both passion and expertise. Everflyht viticulturist, Luke Spalding summed up the vintage, “2020 was a roller-coaster season which ended on a high. We had a positive start with an early bud break and good consistent growth. However, the vineyard was hit with a late freak frost which led to the loss of around 15 per cent of our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. However, veraison was rapid due to a fantastic warm September that meant the fruit developed some beautiful complex ripe flavour profiles within the grapes as well as some fantastic deep red & black colour concentration in both the Pinot Noir and Meunier. These deep coloured skins and rich phenolic profile translated into our Rosé de Saignée 2020.”
Everflyht’s Rosé de Saignée 2020 is now available for purchase through distributor Berkmann Wine Cellars and directly from the Everflyht Estate.
(An allocation can also be secured by joining the Everflyht wine club “Murmuration”.)
