British winemakers’ growing love for a cool red

 

We are increasing the number of rows of Pinot Noir vines at Poulton Hill, which is really exciting for us.

Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world and is now the most widely planted red grape in British vineyards, according to Wine GB (the national body for grape growers and winemakers). There are some very good reasons for this.

First of all, Pinot Noir grows very well in cooler climates and ripens relatively early. It is perhaps best-known as the red grape of the Burgundy region of France, which produces wines with flavours of cherry and red berries. This light to medium-bodied red wine can be served at room temperature, like most red wines, or it can be served slightly chilled. This makes it an excellent alternative to white and rosé wines on warm days and means it can pair with foods that would traditionally be partnered with these wines too. In fact, it pairs really well with full-flavoured fish, so it is the perfect wine to serve with trout from our sister company, Bibury Trout Farm.

Second, Pinot Noir is really versatile. Not only can it be used for a single grape wine, it is also the perfect grape to blend in sparkling wines. Some famous French Champagnes, such as Pol Roger, are made with Pinot Noir. It has also been used to produce rosé wines, so winemakers can use the grapes in a variety of different wines.

However, we have to take great care of our Pinot Noir vines. It is not the easiest grape to grow. The berries are thin-skinned, are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and are susceptible to sunburn, rot, fungus and mildew. But with the right care and attention, we should produce a beautiful red wine. We look forward to sharing it with you.