FOOD + DRINK
CHAPEL DOWN
ANNOUNCES NEW COLLECTION OF SINGLE VINEYARD WINES
Chapel Down is England’ s leading wine producer and one of the UK’ s most exciting drinks companies. Produced in Kent, Chapel Down offers a world-class range of sparkling and still wines, together with an award-winning range of Curious beer and cider. With a mission to surprise and delight, Chapel Down has quickly gained support from leading chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver, as well as receiving an impressive array of international awards. This month sees the launch of Kit ' s Coty Chardonnay 2013, the first in a series of exclusive single vineyard wines to be launched by Chapel Down.
Located in Tenterden, in the heart of the Kent countryside, the Chapel Down winery is open to the public throughout the year and welcomes over 50,000 visitors each year. As England ' s leading wine producer, Chapel Down produces a range of award-winning sparkling and still wines, together with a range of Curious beers and cider that are produced using winemaking expertise.
This month sees the launch of a new range of wines with the first to be launched, Kit ' s Coty Chardonnay 2013, a single varietal Chardonnay from the exceptional Kit ' s Coty vineyard. Located on the North Downs of Kent, Kit ' s Coty produces wines of exceptional quality thanks to its limerich soil, southerly facing slopes and unique microclimate.
Highest levels of viticulture and winemaking practices are employed with whole-bunch pressed fruit undergoing wild yeast fermentation and extended ageing in barrel.
Situated on one of the oldest agrarian landscapes in Britain, Kit’ s Coty is named after the monuments to the first settlers of Britain’ s earliest farming society who recognised the fertility of the land in the third millennium BC. Chapel Down acquired the land in 2007 and 95 acres are now planted of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bacchus.
The Kit’ s Coty vineyard sits in the sheltered lee of steep chalk hills that rise above, keeping cool northerly winds at bay. The expansive southerly aspect ensures the vines capture the sunshine all year long while the warm, free-draining chalk soils provide the perfect terroir for producing wellbalanced vines and intensely flavoured fruit.
Restricting yields and maintaining vine balance allow vines to fulfil their potential, producing fruit that truly express their identity and the unique qualities of the soil. This results in wines of purity, intensity and complexity.
The first of the range to be released – the Kit’ s Coty Chardonnay 2013 – is a limited production wine boasting rich aromas of apple, apricot and buttered toast with hints of nutmeg. On the palate it has layers of flavour and creamy texture which lead on to the long, intense but fresh finish.
Mark Harvey, managing director at Chapel Down, states:“ We are profoundly excited about the introduction of the Kit’ s Coty range into English Wines. Here the magic of“ terroir” combines with the highest levels of viticulture and winemaking to produce truly world-class wines. Once again, the bar in English Wines has been raised!”
The aromatic freshness of this wine lends itself to pairing with seafood, particularly white fish or shellfish. However, the depth of flavour and richness would allow it to stand up to a butter or cream-based sauce. Try with Rye Bay scallops in garlic butter or simply grilled.
The Kit’ s Coty Chardonnay 2013 is the first of the range to be launched( 12.5 % ABV, RRP £ 19.99) and is available to purchase at www. chapeldown. com. This is the first of several Kit’ s Coty Single Vineyard wines to be released over the next 12 months.
www. chapeldown. com @ ChapelDownWines @ CuriousDrinks
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