Nyetimber Rosé

Region and Vineyards

Nyetimber Rosé NV is crafted from grapes grown in West Sussex and Hampshire, two of England’s most prestigious regions for traditional method sparkling wine. These areas benefit from a cool, maritime climate and sandy soils that promote good drainage, essential in this marginal viticultural zone. The long, slow growing season enhances aromatic complexity and maintains high levels of natural acidity, key to the freshness of this rosé.

Nyetimber controls over 170 hectares of estate vineyards spread across eight distinct sites. This estate-only philosophy allows for detailed viticultural management and meticulous grape selection, ensuring consistent quality and expression of terroir. The inclusion of multiple vineyard parcels and base vintages enhances the depth and consistency of this non-vintage wine.

Winemaking

The cuvée is composed of 45–75% Chardonnay, 25–55% Pinot Noir, and less than 5% Pinot Meunier, with the exact blend adjusted to maintain stylistic consistency across vintages. The wine is made using the traditional method, with secondary fermentation in bottle followed by 36 months of lees aging, which contributes to the wine’s creamy texture and autolytic complexity.

With an alcohol level of 12% and 9 g/L of residual sugar, the wine is classified as Brut. This dosage provides balance to the crisp acidity typical of English sparkling wines, while enhancing fruit expression and roundness on the palate.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Delicate pale pink with fine, persistent effervescence.
• Aroma: Opens with fragrant notes of wild red berries, cherry blossom, and a touch of anise, evolving into subtle hints of lavender and dried petals.
• Palate: A creamy and rounded attack, with flavors of redcurrant, raspberry, and ripe cherry. The mousse is elegant and fine, leading to a refreshing and floral finish with lingering minerality.

Did you know?

Nyetimber’s rosé cuvée reflects the estate's pioneering role in English sparkling wine. The estate was one of the first in England to plant Champagne grape varieties, and this rosé has even been served by Queen Elizabeth II at her golden wedding anniversary celebration—a symbol of the wine's prestige and national pride.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roast duck with cherry glaze – The wine’s acidity and fruit intensity pair beautifully with rich poultry and berry-based sauces.
• Herb-crusted chicken – Complements the aromatic profile and highlights the wine’s floral elegance.
• Smoked salmon tartare – Enhances the wine’s texture while playing with its red fruit and anise notes.
• Beetroot and goat cheese salad – Mirrors the wine’s earthy undertones and contrasts the creaminess of the palate.

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.