Country: United Kingdom  Region: Southern England  Vintage: 2014  Category: White Wine  Color: White   Producer: Stopham Estate "Stopham Estate is the brainchild of Simon Woodhead, who began his career as an engineer designing parts for Formula 1 cars. Simon established Stopham Estate in 2007, when he planted six hectares of predominantly Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc on the estate, near Pulborough in West Sussex. He vinifies all of his wines in a small winery located in a converted barn on the estate. Stopham is known locally for its ancient buildings that were recorded in the Domesday Book. The main challenges in the vineyard are the deer that roam the parkland (Simon's first job was to fence the vineyard to protect the vines from damage) and unsurprisingly, the weather. Simon practises sustainable farming and is aided by the south-facing vineyards, which maximise sun exposure and ripening, as well as the proximity of the Stopham farm animals, which provide copious amounts of organic fertiliser to boost the sandy soils. The Stopham Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are unique because they are made from predominantly vinifera varieties, rather than hybrids. Simon's wines, like his pristine winery, are pure and precise, and in our opinion some of the best still wines made in England. In addition to the two whites, Simon makes a Rosé made from 100% Dornfelder grapes, which is pale pink in colour, refreshingly balanced with flavours of fresh berries and cream and light bodied at 11% alcohol." Product Features:  Sustainable;Vegetarian Winemaker: Simon Woodhead Vineyards: The main challenges in the vineyard are deer, which roam the parkland (meaning Simon's first job was to fence the vineyard to protect the vines from damage) and, unsurprisingly, the weather. Simon practises sustainable farming. This is helped by the south-facing vineyards, which maximise sun exposure and ripening, and the proximity of the Stopham farm animals, which provide copious amounts of organic fertiliser to boost the sandy soils! Grapes were harvested by hand. Vinification: The grapes were pressed directly on entering the winery and there was no skin contact. They were fermented in stainless steel under strict temperature control. Fermentation was stopped prematurely to obtain the perfect level of sweetness at 6g/L of residual sugar. As expected from highly aromatic varieties, there was no malolactic fermentation. Storage was on the fine lees until early summer. The wine is closed with Stelvin Luxe Plus to preserve the impeccable purity of fruit. Tasting Notes: The Pinot Gris is off-dry and pale lemon in colour, with aromatic peach and pear fruit alongside the floral character on the nose. On the palate, it has excellent balance with crisp acidity. It is fairly full in body, with plenty of juicy fruit intensity, but is refreshing and long, with a lively citrus and stone fruit finish. Food Suggestion: Enjoy with slow cooked pork with crushed new potatoes, braised lettuce and fresh broad beans. Closure: Stelvin Lux  ABV:11.5%  Acidity [g/l]: 7.5