Nyetimber Tasting, English sparkling wine
As I write this post, I am sipping Nyetimber Rosé NV and remembering the fantastic launch of The Nyetimber Terrace at South Place Hotel in London. The whole terrace on the 7th Floor has been transformed into a unique oasis of flowers, calm and a fizz paired Michelin starred small dishes menu. Perfect for meeting with friends or romantic drinks during the summer.
A balmy evening spent tasting Nyetimber English sparkling wines paired with delicious dishes by Michelin-starred chef Gary Foulkes of Angler, just next door. It was a delight to listen to some interesting stories about the brand and how it all started. Daniel Story, Nyetimber Brand Ambassador, hosted this intimate event.
Nyetimber based in West Sussex, in the tiny village of West Chiltington. The estate has been making wine for the last 30 years but the estate dates back to 1086 as mentioned in the Domesday Book. Nyetimber is an Anglo Saxon name, which when translated means new timber. It’s believed that there was a new timber building on the estate back in the day, hence the name Nyetimber.
Nowadays the estate spans West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. There’s a microclimate in the area that makes it perfect to plant vines and make very serious wines in that part of South England. A group of monasteries once owned the Estate, the Benedictine monks keep it for a few hundred years but it has changed hands throughout history, and eventually, in 1988 an American couple planted the first grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the holy trinity of Champagne grapes. In 1992, the first-ever Nyetimber wine came to existence, and Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 1993 won ‘Best Sparkling Wine in the World,’ catapulting the brand into the international arena.
Attention to detail and quality is at the heart of the business. At Nyetimber, they only use grapes from their own vineyards for their wines. They have an excellent winemaking duo – Canadian husband and wife, Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix. This year, Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs was awarded the accolade of ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge 2018; one of the most revered wine competitions in the world. The first time a female and winemakerand winemaker from outside Champagne has won this award in the history of the International Wine Challenge. Quite an achievement!
Nyetimber seems to have it all and is going from strength to strength.
The menu at Nyetimber Terrace
Nyetimber Terrace
The beautifully decorated terrace offers four of the Nyetimber sparkling wines.
the Classic Cuvee NV: pale straw gold, intense and delicate with fine and persistent bubbles great for every occasion. Notes of nuts, brioche and honey.
The Rose NV: a beautiful sunset pink, red berries and cherry flavours, silk and an elegant finish.
Blanc de Blancs 2010 – gold coloured, creamy, well balanced floral and citrus, a finish of vanilla and brioche. A very refined sparkling wine.
Demi-sec NV: a sweet wine with a perfect balance of sharpness and minerality, and honey tones. A sparkler that goes well with desserts.
Tasting Nyetimber, English Sparkling wine
For cocktail lovers, they offer two concoctions topped with Nyetimber, the Royal and Dream On.
The bites are delightful and very tasty, rabbit and chorizo rice balls with dried tomato Mayonnaise.
Iberica Ham croquettes, black truffle cream
Taleggio, preserved tomato and basil flatbread and herb pesto
Crisp Cornish squid, green peppercorn and ginger
Giaraffa Sicilian olives – very tender and meaty
Pistou nuts – completely addictive
open till Mid September 2018
TERRACE OPENING TIMES
Monday – Friday: noon – 11pm
Saturday: 5pm – 11pm
The Nyetimber Terrace
South Place Hotel – Angler Restaurant
3 South Pl, London EC2M 2AF
Phone: 020 3503 0000
PIN FOR LATER NYETIMBER:
Disclosure: I was a guest of Nyetimber for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
