2020 Classic Cuvée Brut, Rathfinny Wine Estate

• Style: Traditional-method Brut, Sussex
• Taste: Bright apple, citrus peel, stone fruit, brioche, mineral grip
• Food: Shellfish, oysters, smoked salmon, soft cheese, roast chicken
• Occasion: Aperitif, brunch, celebration, through a whole meal
• Serve: Chilled; three years on lees

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Vivid apple, citrus peel and ripe summer stone fruit meet a savoury brioche undertone. The palate has real grip — acidity and mineral spine define this dry, food-ready sparkling. Low dosage at 3.5g/L keeps length refreshing rather than sweet, letting the fruit speak with clarity and focus.

The Winery — Rathfinny Wine Estate

Established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, Rathfinny spans over 93 hectares on a south-facing slope in the South Downs, just three miles from the Channel. The estate vineyard grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier for their four traditional-method sparlings, with each wine released as a vintage expression. This 2020 blend spends three years developing on its lees in stainless steel, building textural depth through patient cellar work rather than shortcuts. Hand-harvested fruit and whole-bunch pressing preserve the character that the 2020 vintage delivered: early warmth gave perfect ripeness, while the driest May on record minimised disease pressure. In April 2023, Rathfinny became the UK's third B Corp certified wine producer, embedding sustainability at the heart of production.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This sparkling sings with smoked salmon, oysters and soft cheese, or simply chilled alongside cold roast chicken. Its acidity and mineral backbone make it equally at home as an aperitif or working through a whole meal — a rare versatility in fine sparkling. Chill before serving; it sits proudly within our Sussex collection and the broader world of England's traditional-method conversation, a benchmark for how English winemaking has matured in the past decade.