2019 Blanc de Blancs, Rathfinny Wine Estate

• Style: Traditional-method Sussex sparkling
• Taste: Citrus, hazelnut, pastry with creamy mineral structure
• Food: Shellfish, white fish, soft & creamy cheese
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, celebration, aperitivo
• Serve: Chilled, 36 months on lees, 12% ABV

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Pale and bright, this Chardonnay unfolds with green citrus, orchard stone fruit and mineral snap, transformed by 36 months on lees into toasted hazelnut and pastry complexity. The palate stays tight and linear with a fine bead and creamy structure from careful whole-bunch pressing and measured malolactic fermentation—proper fizz for the table.

The Winery — Rathfinny Wine Estate

Established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver on a south-facing 93-hectare slope in the South Downs, three miles from the Channel, Rathfinny produces only traditional-method sparkling from estate-grown fruit. The 2019 vintage saw hand-harvested Chardonnay fermented cool in steel with minimal intervention; balanced and ripe grapes delivered low-dosage (3g/L) wine at 12% ABV that lets the site speak rather than relying on added sweetness. This family-run operation holds B Corp certification, embedding sustainability and people-first values into every decision.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Pair this wine with oysters, crab and butter-sauced fish, where the acidity and saline undertones cut through richness beautifully. It complements soft and creamy cheeses, salads and light dishes with equal grace. Discover how Sussex sparkling now ranks among Britain's most exciting regions for world-class fizz—sit this alongside the rest of our England selection and explore what's possible beyond the classics. Drink now through 2027. Vegan and vegetarian friendly.