2016 Tillington Single Vineyard, Nyetimber

• Style: English sparkling wine, traditional method
• Taste: Brioche, biscuit depth, red fruit, orange zest, marzipan
• Food: Oysters, crab, creamy white fish, soft & aged cheese
• Occasion: Celebration, gifting, cellar-worthy, aperitivo
• Serve: Chilled; 12% ABV, dry with 9.8g/L residual sugar

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Pale gold with a persistent, delicate stream of bubbles signals years spent maturing on the lees. Over 60 months of bottle age has built layers of brioche and biscuit complexity atop a vibrant red-fruit core. Raspberry and red apple skin emerge on the nose alongside rose petal; the palate unfolds orange zest, apricot and marzipan across a refined, mouthwatering length. At 12% ABV and 9.8g/L residual sugar, this sparkling wine strikes a dry-but-rounded balance that rewards both immediate pleasure and patient cellaring.

The Winery — Nyetimber

Since planting its first vines in 1988, Nyetimber has pursued a single mission: to craft English sparkling wine equal to the world's finest. A genuine pioneer, the house was the first to make exclusively from Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay in England. Owner Eric Heerema and winemaker Cherie Spriggs remain committed to Grande Marque standards; every grape is estate-grown, every bottle made by hand using the traditional method. The 2016 Tillington comes from a south-facing slope in the South Downs on Cretaceous greensand—geology that ensures excellent drainage and concentrates flavour. Despite late-April frost damage that cut yields, the vintage delivered a long, warm summer and extended ripening into October, building richness. Pinot Noir at 73% lends red-fruit refinement and medium body typical of cool-climate styles; Chardonnay's 27% contributes structural acidity and the minerality that makes this wine sing.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is serious sparkling wine for serious occasions. Pair with oysters, crab and other shellfish, or creamy white fish sauces; it also shines alongside soft and aged cheeses, and brightens salads and light dishes. Serve well chilled as an aperitivo, or pull a bottle from the cellar years hence—the structure and acidity built into this wine ensure it will age gracefully. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, gifting to a fellow enthusiast, or building a collection, the 2016 Tillington represents the pinnacle of what England can achieve. Explore our range of Pinot Noir selections, or discover more treasures from Sussex and beyond. Vegetarian and vegan.