Best English Rose Wine
Wine of the Week
2019 Cradle Valley Rose – Rafthfinny Wine Estate – Sussex – England
I am a very big fan and supporter of English Wine, I’ve sold it, I’ve harvested for it, I’ve bottled it, I’ve foot trodden it and I’ve been stung by a few of it’s typically angry English wasps!
I have also tasted and drank from a fair few of England’s producers and having discovered Rathfinny only recently, I can strongly recommend it’s wares, this lovely soft pink wine is certainly the Best English Rose I have ever tasted.
Be warned English wine can seem expensive, considering it’s made locally it may feel inexplicable that something that has travelled half the way around the globe can cost less than half the price of something made just down the lane.
English wine producers generally don’t have the scale and volume to compete on price, our climate makes grape growing a big and expensive challenge and add to that high labour costs and you can start to see the reasons.
I will be honest and tell you that there are some pretty average English wines out there that will disappoint, if you are new to English read some reviews and take some recommendations then dig deep into the wallet and join me in supporting English Wine.
At £18 per bottle it’s certainly not cheap but witn 20% off if you take a case of 6, this helps to ensure a better value for money (VFM) rating!
https://shop.rathfinnyestate.com/product/cradle-valley-pinot-noir-rose-2019/
Tasting Notes
Pale salmon pink in colour that gives a very appealing and sophisticated appearance in the glass. Best served not over chilled to enjoy the best aromas and flavour.
Think English crisp red apples and sharp rhubarb on the nose and a hint of sweet sherbet.
High citrus and peachy acidity flood your mouth leaving a very pleasant soft mild white pepper warmth that lingers for some time.
The tasters and creatives at Rathfinny write of “custard-drizzled crystalised ginger”, put that alongside the rhubarb and you could have gone to heaven!
About the Producer
Established in 2010 on the village of Alfriston on the South Downs, Rathfinny delivered it’s first harvest in 2014 and have steadily grown to now have around 600,000 vines that could produce a 1,200 ton harvest in 2022 (subject to English climate conditions!)
They grow classic varieties of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier that enable the superb sparkling wine made and smaller plantings of pinot gris and pinot blanc used for the still wines, labelled under the Cradle Valley brand.
The philosophy is one of hand harvesting and traditional methods and with some seriously experienced international makers in the nest, Rathfinny certainly has found all the right ingredients to produce superb wines.
Wine tours, dinning and accommodation complete the offer… I will be heading their on the next big marital celebration for sure!
