2016 1086 Prestige Cuvée Rosé, Nyetimber

• Style: Salmon-pink English sparkling, traditional method
• Taste: Wild strawberry, brioche, cream with crystalline acidity
• Food: Shellfish, scallops, soft cheese, smoked salmon
• Occasion: Celebration, aperitif, gifting, cellar-worthy
• Serve: Chilled, 12% ABV, 9g/L residual sugar

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

A salmon-pink sparkling of refined elegance: wild strawberry and red apple cut through a textural core of brioche and cream, built by five years' maturation on the lees. The blend — 72% Pinot Noir for red-fruit spine and acidity, Chardonnay for structure and autolytic character — delivers crystalline balance without heaviness. At 12% alcohol and 9g/L residual sugar, this is taut and clean, a wine that rewards attention rather than confection.

The Winery — Nyetimber

For three decades, Nyetimber has pursued a single vision: crafting English sparkling to rival the world's greatest. A true pioneer, the estate was among the first to work exclusively with Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Owner Eric Heerema and winemaker Cherie Spriggs uphold Grande Marque standards, drawing every grape from 100% estate vineyards on Sussex's mineral-rich greensand soils. The 2016 vintage exemplifies their craft: a late spring frost limited yields, but a long warm summer and extended late-October harvest delivered exceptional refinement and character.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Serve chilled as the aperitif that announces an occasion worth marking, or pair with smoked salmon, scallops, and soft cheese. This wine signals quality without fanfare — a cellar-worthy gift that reflects three decades of discipline in cool-climate winemaking. It sits proudly among the finest examples of what England now produces, a testament to traditional method excellence beyond traditional heartlands.