The RidgeView Estate is a family business “dedicated solely to the production of the highest quality sparkling wine from traditional Champagne varieties and methods.” The 30 acre estate is located on the South Downs in Sussex.

We tried the Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury 2005, a Vintage Quality Sparkling Wine – Brut. We bought our bottle in Waitrose where is retails at £19.95 per bottle. It is also available from the RidgeView Estate web site, Waitrose online and John Lewis.

The winemaker tells us the following about Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury 2005:

“Winemaking
Alcohol 12.20%, Acid 7.5g/l pH 2.97, Dosage 8.5g/l, Residual Sugar 9.3g/l

Hand picked followed by whole bunch pressing conducted with respect to the must separation as stipulated by and within the CIVC permitted limits. Alcoholic fermentation with yeast specially prepared by Institut Œnologique de Champagne. 100% malolactic conversion. Maturation in cuve for 8 months with 5% in old oak barriques for 3 months. Bottled in Summer 2004 – 13,000 bottles. This release has 20 months bottle ageing.

Cepage
70% Chardonnay, 23% Pinot Noir and 7% Pinot Meunier.

Awards
Silver Medal, Effervescents du Monde – France 2005 (Sparkling Wines of the World).

Tasting Note
The dominant Chardonnay is bringing toasty characters and as the wine continues to mature the Pinots will give a more a definite biscuity note. Brioche flavours will continue to develop and deepen over the next 2 to 3 years. Lovely fine mousse with a light gold colour. Ready to drink now or keep for three or four years.”

We tried it on a panel of seven people, four of which are not experienced wine drinkers. The first thing that struck us was the colour which definitely is a light gold. The bubbles rise in straight lines, giving the wine a fine mousse head that settles quickly.

The taste was described as notes of orchard fruits and lemon. One person suggested a hint of pears and two found hints of toast or possibly shortbread biscuits. We all agreed that it has a lovely fresh crispness, and that this is a wine we’re likely to buy more of.