2019 Rosé Brut, Rathfinny Wine Estate

• Style: Traditional-method sparkling rosé, 36 months on lees
• Taste: Cranberry, brioche, pink grapefruit with silky, juicy acidity
• Food: Shellfish, smoked salmon, creamy cheese, canapés
• Occasion: Aperitif, celebration, Sunday lunch, date night
• Serve: Chilled; 11.5% ABV, low dosage (5g/L)

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Pale pink and inviting, this 2019 rosé opens with cranberry, cherry blossom and red apple, then reveals concentrated brioche notes on the palate where pink grapefruit cuts through with refreshing precision. Silky texture and juicy acidity keep the wine dancing rather than settling. Thirty-six months on lees have built creamy backbone without softening the wine's restless core—a restraint that speaks to its vintage character and genuine food compatibility.

The Winery — Rathfinny Wine Estate

Established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, Rathfinny now cultivates over 93 hectares across south-facing slopes in the South Downs, just three miles from the Channel. The estate produces only traditional-method sparkling wines from its own fruit: a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay and 18% Meunier. The 2019 vintage faced early budbreak, record summer heat, then wet autumn conditions that demanded careful vineyard work—yet the grapes achieved excellent balance, neither over-extracted nor hollow. Each wine is released as vintage expression rather than house cuvée, respecting the character of its year. In April 2023, Rathfinny became the third UK wine producer to achieve B Corp certification, embedding sustainability into vineyard practices that actively restore chalk grassland and wildlife habitat.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is a wine built for genuine food compatibility: pair it with smoked salmon, shellfish, or creamy washed-rind and aged cheeses that reward bubbles. Equally at home as a casual aperitif or the spine of a celebratory lunch—whether Sunday gathering or date night. The low dosage (5g/L) preserves pure vintage character, while 11.5% ABV ensures extended drinking without parade-ground intensity. Vegan and vegetarian friendly, crafted with B Corp commitment to sustainable practice. If you've explored our Pinot Noir selection or other offerings from Sussex, you'll recognize the region's gift for finesse; this sparkling expression sits naturally alongside those discoveries. Explore more of our England range to trace how consistently this country now delivers depth at this quality level.