Hambledon, Classic Cuvée, Sparkling, Hampshire, England

Hampshire is a county in South East England that has become celebrated for its production of English wine, and English sparkling wine in particular. Leading producers here include Hambledon Vineyard, Exton Park Vineyard and Hattingley Valley. It is also home to Bride Valley Vineyard, founded by the late wine writer Steven Spurrier and his wife, Bella. Hampshire has long been an important place for Berry Bros. & Rudd: we have offices and warehouses in Basingstoke and Andover.

Hambledon Vineyard boasts a rich history as the first English commercial vineyard, established in the early 1950s by the Francophile Sir Guy Salisbury Jones. After a decline, Ian Kellett acquired the vineyard in 1999, and his dedicated investments have led to some of the country’s finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes.

The appointment of renowned oenologist Hervé Jestin, a pioneer of organic viticulture and Cellar Master at Champagne Leclerc Briant, has revitalised Hambledon’s standing in the wine industry. Alongside winemakers Felix Gabillet and Sam Picton, Hervé crafts exquisite sparkling wines with a distinctive English flair.

In 2023, we proudly became part owners of Hambledon in partnership with Symington Family Estates. This collaboration merges our longstanding family businesses and shared dedication to sustainable viticulture and winemaking.

Which grapes are included in the blend, and their proportion, is one of the key factors determining the style of most Champagnes. Three grapes are used - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

26% of vineyards in Champagne are planted with Chardonnay and it performs best on the Côtes des Blancs and on the chalk slopes south of Epernay. It is relatively simple to grow, although it buds early and thus is susceptible to spring frosts. It produces lighter, fresher wines than those from Burgundy and gives finesse, fruit and elegance to the final blend. It is the sole grape in Blancs de Blancs, which are some of the richest long-lived Champagnes produced.

Pinot Noir accounts for nearly 40% of the plantings in Champagne and lies at the heart of most blends - it gives Champagne its body, structure, strength and grip. It is planted across Champagne and particularly so in the southern Aube district.

The final component is Pinot Meunier and this constitutes nearly 35% of the plantings. Its durability and resistance to spring frosts make the Marne Valley, a notorious frost pocket, its natural home. It ripens well in poor years and produces a soft, fruity style of wine that is ideal for blending with the more assertive flavours of Pinot Noir. Producers allege that Pinot Meunier lacks ageing potential, but this does not deter Krug from including around 15% of it in their final blends.