{"product_id":"single-bottle-of-flint-charmat-nv","title":"England: Flint Vineyards - Charmat (Incl Sustainable Disease-Resistant Varieties)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRead \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wineobsessed.co.uk\/pages\/flint\" title=\"Alex's notes on Flint\"\u003eAlex's Producer Profile on Flint\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (26%), Reichensteiner (21%), Bacchus (16%), Auxerrois (14%) and the remainder a blend of super aromatic varieties, all of which are disease-resistant meaning a great deal less sprays in the vineyard and a great deal less emissions. 11.5% alcohol. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wine therefore significantly ups the dial on environmental sustainability.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you like your fizz fruit-forward, crisp, citrusy, and lean rather than rich and biscuity, this is the wine for you!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDry - in Brut territory - and 11.5% alcohol, without chaptalisation (the addition of sugar to increase alcohol) meaning the alcohol comes 100% from natural sugars. The bubbles are lively, but they are delicate and caressing rather than prickly, and they don’t dominate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Flint describe it as \"fresh, fruit-forward fizz made for pure, uncomplicated enjoyment.\" 'Pure' was one word I jotted down when I first tasted this wine: \"lovely lightness, pure, texture, refreshing, balance, sherberty.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGiven its unusual blend of varieties, this is a genuinely distinctive wine. Some wine anoraks describe certain sparkling wines as \"vinous\" - odd, since they’re all made from grapes, but I get it, and this one is most certainly vinous. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheaper fizz can taste a little industrial, with aggressive bubbles and little character. Not this one. Here, the bubbles resolve, and you can simply enjoy it for what it is — a delicious wine. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd, referring again to my tasting note, there is texture here too, as a proportion of the wine is fermented in neutral oak which lends roundness and a subtle depth, enhancing its quality. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuality that London's L'Escargot restaurant charges £69 a bottle for! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou may notice it’s missing a foil - a conscious decision as foils are incredibly wasteful things.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood pairing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn Flint’s own words: this is \"all about freshness and vibrancy. Fizzing with bright citrus, orchard fruit and floral notes, it’s crisp, clean, and beautifully balanced. A perfect aperitif, but just as happy accompanying seafood or salads.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI can vouch for the fact that this wine is a wonder with anything from the sea - especially crab, for some reason. Try with crab linguine. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the critics say: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatthew Jukes, Renowned Wine Writer \u0026amp; Critic:\u003c\/em\u003e \"This is by far and away the most thoughtful and enticing Charmat in the land. And before you cock a snook at this style of sparkler, this beauty tramples over a wagonload of Champagne styles, too, with its perfume, palate and lip-smacking finish... Ben Witchell is a balance maestro\". \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"#WineObsessed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51854926315867,"sku":null,"price":23.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0948\/7741\/7819\/files\/Case2-18.png?v=1769778333","url":"https:\/\/wineobsessed.co.uk\/products\/single-bottle-of-flint-charmat-nv","provider":"#WineObsessed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}