Bolney Wine Estate

Tucked away down a leafy Sussex lane with the almost Disney-like name of Foxhole Lane is a modern success story with a sparkling twist. The Blanc de Blancs 2007 produced by Sam Linter, second generation winemistress at Bolney Wine Estate has beaten off allcomers to win a Gold Outstanding at the 2012 International Wine & Spirit Competition – just 13 out of 3000 wines from 90 countries scored this top accolade.

“We are thrilled by the result,” said a delighted Sam. “It couldn’t have come at a better time – the country is celebrating and now so are we.” 

Available online via the winery and a few other stockists – see below – the judges described the wine as ‘lavish’, like ‘pure white mousse’, ‘dense, clinging and zesty’.

The world of food and wine matching now has a new scenario to contemplate: English wine. With a couple of Best of English, Meet the Winemaker dinners under his belt, it is clear that Artisan & Vine’s chef James Robson  has that deft yet inspired touch that works with the subtlety that is English wine.

At our last gathering, where Bolney Estate’s winemaker Sam Linter kept a packed room entranced with her tales from the field and cellar, James’ skill was very much in evidence.

DrinkBritain.com’s latest Producer of the Week, Bolney Wine Estate, is one of the few in the UK to specialise in red wine – and with some success. With over half the estate planted with red varietals, head winemaker Samantha Linter says they spotted a gap in the market for a lighter red.

“There’s a demand for  less alcoholic fruitier reds that is not being met hugely by other countries,” she says. We’ve worked really hard on making a red to match the UK palate and it’s paying off.”