Breaky Bottom English Sparkling Wine

Breaky Bottom is a winery based in Sussex which was founded in 1974 by Peter Hall.

At the time, there were only a few dozen wine vineyards in the whole country, but Peter Hall saw the potential for grape-growing in the UK.

Breaky Bottom is an isolated farmstead set in a beautiful secluded valley in the South Downs. There are six acres of vines and a flock of 40 ewes graze the surrounding steep banks.

Peter Hall chose to use Seyval Blanc as the principal variety thanks to it’s cleaner more open taste, which offers a balance between vinosity with a touch of fruit. He says that this style most closely resembles the fine wines of the Loire which he so admires. They do also use traditional Champagne grapes, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Although Breaky Bottom is a small scale family-run business it is able to produce top quality wines which have gained a reputation for excellence and which command a premium in the sparkling wine and Champagne market.

The winery lies in a fold in the South Downs, about 5 miles from Lewes in East Sussex. Visits are by appointment and can usually be made at short notice.

Breaky Bottom Brut – £24, Waitrose

This award-winning wine is described as “A floral, elegant style, made using 100% Seyval Blanc grapes, with clean crisp apple flavours supported by lovely biscuity notes.”

www.breakybottom.co.uk