2009 promises to be possibly one of the best vintages at Welcombe Hills yet – not in terms of quantity (in comparison with 2006) - but certainly in terms of quality.
The great classic red grape which can make a wine attracting almost cult status as in the film Sideways . Here in England Jancis Robinson suggested in her book that in the Thames Valley "the late Bernard Theobold mystified his rivals with his deep coloured Pinot Noir." In the vineyard Jancis succinctly described pinot as "a Minx of a vine". We were rather shocked by the early growth as the vines made some four to five metres in their first year. We are delighted with the colour and quality so far and look forward to the vines improving with age.
Dornfelder
This vine was planted to ensure that in bad years the vineyard might still produce a crop. Seen as one of Germany 's most promising red crossing; it is a most well behaved vine. The tall, firm stems grow with few sideshoots and the grapes hang in large loose bunches. We have however struggled to find a wine which is as palatable as the vine! Blending has created a firm well structured wine but it is to the rose that we are looking as with little skin fermentation the wine shows great promise.
Pinot Noir Precoce
The third red grape in our vineyard, is now known as Pinot Noir Precoce here in the UK . Planted two years after the Pinot Noir, it was intended to be a "fall back" in years when Pinot Noir struggled to ripen. Cropping less heavily than Pinot Noir and with tiny berries, we were concerned as to whether the grape would have the quality we sought. We had our first harvest in 2006 and have been delighted with the light and fruity wine it has produced: this was also the style of Pinot Noir the UKVA judges preferred in this year's national competition.
White Grape Varieties
Bacchus
Despite being recommended for northerly climes this is a demanding vine; often highly susceptible to mildew. The effort in the vineyard is amply repaid with a wine which is highly aromatic with upfront fruit character. Often compared to English hedgerows, as in Elderflower.
Auxerrois
A descendant of Pinot Noir and Gouias Blanc. Hardier than Chardonnay but sharing many similar qualities. The wine tends to be dry with a floral and citrus character.
Sauvignon Blanc
Planted in 2005 this variety has yet to crop. Certainly growth is strong but whether it will be possible to approach the quality of New Zealand or Sancerre remains to be seen.
Chardonnay
The classic white grape which is grown the world over but producing vastly different wine styles. Although we may have some of the best growing conditions for the region, Chardonnay may not ripen every year. Ironically one of the ways in which it is sometimes difficult to grow is that the grapes easily over-ripen but this is not going to trouble us!
