Stopham Estate Tasting

To celebrate English Wine Week, delicatessen and wine merchant Pallant of Arundel has invited local vineyard Stopham Estate to host a tasting in the store on Saturday 9^th June.

Stopham Estate is a relative new comer to our burgeoning West Sussex wine industry and the release of their first vintage (2010) created much interest. Located on the beautiful Stopham Estate, near Pulborough, the vineyard was first planted in 2007. Simon Woodhead, Vineyard Director and Winemaker, explains the importance of the estate’s location is down to a gently sloping site with a southerly aspect looking towards the Arun Valley and the South Downs.

Grape varieties used in English Wine production often have Germanic routes, but Stopham Estate use two white grapes that are found in Alsace in France, namely Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. A little Dornfelder is used to make the Rosé. A sparkling wine is also in production but won’t be ready to release until later this year.

 Although the Pinot Blanc is the drier of the two whites, it is the more aromatic and richer Pinot Gris that has won critical acclaim in the wine world and was recently awarded a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge. “At last! A still English wine worth raving about” Jancis Robinson.

 Pallant of Arundel owner Mark Robinson said “We are very happy that Simon is able to come to Arundel to show his wines as part of English Wine Week. There is no doubt about the quality of the wines and at Pallant of Arundel we are proud to stock the finest locally made food and wines, of which Stopham Estate is a local treasure indeed.”

 All three still wines will be available to taste at Pallant of Arundel on Saturday 9^th June from 11am to 2pm and Simon Woodhead will be on hand to answer your questions.

 NOTES:

(1)           For more information contact Mark Robinson 01903 882288, info@pallantofarundel.co.uk

(2)           For information about Stopham Estate visit www.stophamvineyard.co.uk

(3)           To find out more about English Wine Week visit www.englishwineweek.co.uk