Nyetimber 1086 Prestige Cuvée Rosé 2010

Region and Vineyards

Nyetimber farms estate vineyards across West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, focusing on free-draining chalk and greensand slopes that mirror the geological rhythm of the South Downs. The cool maritime climate tempers ripeness and preserves acidity, while south-facing exposures and careful canopy work coax full flavour development at moderate potential alcohol. Vines are exclusively Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with hand harvest ensuring pristine fruit selection and gentle pressing for sparkling wine purity.

For 1086 Rosé 2010, Nyetimber selected their most expressive Pinot-forward parcels—principally from West Sussex greensand—valued for red-berry perfume and finely etched structure. Parcel-by-parcel vinification keeps vineyard identities discrete before a rigorous blending, allowing the team to weave layers of redcurrant, wild strawberry and subtle florals over a chalk-tinged backbone that defines the estate style.

Winemaking

1086 Rosé 2010 is a traditional-method sparkling wine drawn from 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. Primary fermentations were conducted in stainless steel to protect delicacy and site expression. After tirage in May 2011, the wine matured around five years on lees, building creamy autolytic notes (brioche, pastry cream) and fine, persistent mousse before disgorgement in June 2016.

Dosage was set at 8 g/L to balance the wine's racy English acidity; final alcohol sits at 12%. Following disgorgement, bottles rested further under cork prior to the late-2018 release, allowing the red-fruit core to knit with savoury and spice complexity while maintaining the wine's crystalline line and impressive length.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale copper-salmon with onion-skin glints and a persistent, fine bead.
• Aroma: Wild strawberry, redcurrant and rose petal layered with blood orange zest, almond pastry, gingerbread, and a whisper of Earl Grey.
• Palate: Sleek and chalk-textured; red-berry purity meets brioche and patisserie tones. Brisk acidity and pinpoint mousse drive a long, savoury-tinged finish with delicate spice and saline lift.

Did you know?

"1086" references the year the Nyetimber estate is first recorded in the Domesday Book. The estate later passed through the hands of Henry VIII—a historical arc that Nyetimber celebrates by reserving 1086 for the rare vintages that best express time, place and patient craftsmanship.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Tea-smoked salmon with crème fraîche: The wine's citrus-red-berry brightness cuts smoke and richness; autolytic notes echo the dairy creaminess.
• Duck breast with cherry glaze: Pinot-led red fruit mirrors the glaze while chalky structure and acidity refresh each bite.
• Porchetta with fennel pollen: Subtle spice on the palate complements fennel aromatics; buoyant acidity cleanses the palate.
• Goat's cheese and beetroot tart: Berry tones resonate with beetroot; saline snap and fine mousse balance the tart's sweetness and tang.

History of Nyetimber

Nyetimber’s story began in 1988, when the Moss family took a bold step in planting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier vines in West Sussex—a visionary move at a time when English sparkling wine was still a novelty. Their goal was simple yet ambitious: to create wines that could rival the finest Champagnes.

The estate's true transformation came under the guidance of Éric Heerema, who acquired Nyetimber in 2006. A Dutch entrepreneur with a deep reverence for long-term craftsmanship, Heerema invested not only in vineyard expansion but also in a philosophy rooted in generational vision rather than vintage cycles. His commitment to estate-only production, where all wines are made exclusively from grapes grown on Nyetimber’s land, set a new benchmark for quality and authenticity in the UK.

Winemaking responsibilities were entrusted to Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix, a husband-and-wife team originally from Canada, who joined in 2007. Cherie Spriggs made history in 2018 when she was named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge—an unprecedented recognition for an English winemaker.

Region and Vineyards

Nyetimber’s vineyards stretch across West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent, three of England’s most favorable regions for sparkling wine production. The sites benefit from a cool maritime climate that encourages long ripening seasons, preserving natural acidity and promoting slow flavor development.

The soils are a complex mix, but chalk and greensand dominate—providing excellent drainage and contributing to the minerality and tension found in the wines. The vineyard team works with multiple clones and rootstocks, carefully matched to soil type and microclimate, ensuring optimal fruit character and ripeness.

Today, Nyetimber manages 170 hectares divided across eight vineyard sites, each meticulously farmed and harvested by hand. The estate’s complete control over viticulture allows precise selection and blending, underpinning the house’s signature style.

Wine Range of Nyetimber

Nyetimber focuses exclusively on traditional method sparkling wines, producing a focused yet expressive range:

• Classic Cuvee NV – The house signature, a multi-vintage blend of the three Champagne grapes, showing freshness, autolytic depth, and consistency.
• Blanc de Blancs – 100% Chardonnay, from select parcels, aged extensively for elegance and minerality.
• Rosé – A delicate and floral expression with red berry charm, blending Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
• Tillington Single Vineyard – A limited-production, terroir-specific cuvée made only in exceptional vintages.
• Cuvée Chérie – A rare demi-sec, ideal for pairing with lightly spiced or sweet dishes, crafted exclusively from Chardonnay.
• Prestige cuvée 1086 – The estate’s flagship, produced only in the best years, combining power, length, and finesse for long aging.

Did you know?

Nyetimber was the first English wine estate to plant exclusively Champagne grape varieties and the first to produce traditional method sparkling wine solely from estate-grown fruit. It has been served by Queen Elizabeth II and is often credited with putting English sparkling wine on the global fine wine map.