- Sparkling
- 75CL
- 12%
- Organic
- Biodynamic
- Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
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Black Chalk winery has a rich history rooted in the picturesque English countryside. Founded by husband-and-wife team Phil and Lynette Bowden, the winery is a testament to their passion for winemaking.
Established in 2015, Black Chalk is a relatively young player in the industry, but it has quickly made a name for itself by producing exceptional sparkling wines. With a focus on the traditional Champagne method and a commitment to sustainable viticulture, Black Chalk showcases the unique terroir of Hampshire. Their wines reflect a harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the English landscape.
This sparkling wines offer a delightful balance of freshness, elegance, and complexity. Each sip reveals a fine mousse, vibrant acidity, and a harmonious blend of fruit and mineral notes.
Currently showing beautifully with its vibrant fruit and spice complexity well integrated. The 2020 vintage, being the first sourced entirely from Black Chalk's own vineyards, has good structure for medium-term ageing. Over the next 2-3 years, the primary fruit will marry further with the brioche and yeast characteristics from lees ageing. The wine should hold its freshness and complexity until 2032, after which the fruit intensity may begin to fade.
What the critics say:
"An unusually juicy, black-fruited sparkling wine. I've recently tasted a cassis from Burgundy, and this bears a remarkable resemblance – albeit dry and sparkling and white. But the fruit on this wine is quite remarkable. It's intensely vibrant, almost outrageously so, but far from simple. It's interleaved with layer upon layer of spice (caraway seed, star anise, liquorice root), a drizzle of sweetness that is on the cusp of maple syrup, and the pillowy softness of warm, new-baked brioche overwhelming the fine, tiny tingle of bubbles. "
"Toasty citrus, seashells and crushed minerals on the nose. With dosage at 9g/l, it's honeyed on the palate with brioche and ripe blood orange. The base wine hasn't been through malolactic fermentation thus retained bright acidity (8.6g/l). Honey-roasted hazelnuts on the finish. 2020 is the first vintage sourced entirely from the producer's own vineyards. "
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with persistent, fine mousse and delicate bubbles.
NoseImmediately striking for its intense black fruit character, reminiscent of blackcurrant and cassis. Layers of warm spice emerge - caraway seed, star anise, and liquorice root - alongside toasty brioche and crushed seashells. A subtle sweetness suggests maple syrup.
PalateRemarkably juicy and vibrant, with the unusual black fruit intensity carrying through from nose to palate. Honeyed richness balances bright acidity (8.6g/l), whilst brioche and ripe blood orange add complexity. The dosage (9g/l) provides gentle sweetness without overwhelming the wine's natural freshness.
FinishHoney-roasted hazelnuts linger on a clean, mineral finish with fine bubble texture.
Overall impressionAn unusually characterful English sparkling wine that combines intense fruit with refined complexity.
Food Pairings
Hampshire's culinary traditions pair beautifully with local sparkling wine - fresh Hampshire watercress, locally caught trout, and the county's famous bacon complement the wine's bright acidity. Traditional pub fare such as roasted game from the New Forest, Hampshire cheese, and seasonal dishes featuring wild mushrooms work particularly well. The wine's mineral character also suits the county's coastal cuisine, including fresh oysters from the Solent.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well chilled at 6-8°C in flute or tulip-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromatics and maintain the mousse. No decanting required - open just before serving to preserve the bubbles. The wine benefits from a few minutes in the glass to allow the complex aromatics to develop fully.
Black Chalk's vineyards are situated on the chalky soils of Hampshire's South Downs, sharing geological similarities with Champagne's terroir. The chalk provides excellent drainage whilst retaining sufficient moisture for the vines, whilst the south-facing slopes maximise sun exposure. This combination of chalk soils and Hampshire's relatively cool climate creates ideal conditions for producing sparkling wine with natural acidity and mineral complexity.
Hampshire sits within England's burgeoning wine region, where chalk soils mirror those found in Champagne. English sparkling wine has gained international recognition for its quality, particularly from vineyards planted on the chalk downs that run through southern England. The cool climate and extended growing season allow grapes to ripen slowly whilst retaining crucial acidity, creating sparkling wines that rival their French counterparts.
The 2020 growing season in Hampshire began promisingly with a mild winter followed by one of the sunniest springs on record. However, the real defining moment came during an exceptionally dry summer that tested vine stress levels across the county's chalk downs. August brought crucial rainfall that rejuvenated the vines just as véraison began, while September delivered the extended dry spell that Hampshire producers dream of. Harvest commenced earlier than usual, with many estates picking their sparkling wine fruit in ideal conditions during the final weeks of September.
This vintage produced wines of real concentration and finesse, particularly benefiting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir destined for premium sparkling wines. The combination of weather stress and perfectly timed ripening has created base wines with excellent natural acidity and intense fruit character. Bacchus performed exceptionally well in the warmer conditions, yielding aromatic still wines with tropical notes and crisp mineral finish. The 2020 Hampshire sparklers will benefit from extended lees ageing and should reach their peak drinking window between 2025 and 2030, while the still wines are already showing beautifully and will drink well over the next three to five years.
FAQs
What makes this vintage special for Black Chalk?
2020 marks the first vintage sourced entirely from Black Chalk's own vineyards, representing complete control over fruit quality and terroir expression from their Hampshire estate.
How does this compare to Champagne?
Whilst made using the traditional method, this wine shows a distinctly English character with more pronounced black fruit intensity than typical Champagne, alongside the mineral backbone from Hampshire's chalk soils.
Why does this sparkling wine taste of black fruits?
The unusual cassis and blackcurrant character comes from the specific combination of Black Chalk's Hampshire terroir, winemaking technique, and the particular expression of their grape blend in the 2020 vintage.
How long can I cellar this wine?
Best enjoyed until 2032, though the wine is drinking beautifully now. The vibrant fruit character is at its peak, with good structure for medium-term ageing.
What's the dosage level?
9g/l dosage provides gentle honeyed sweetness that balances the wine's natural bright acidity without masking its mineral character and fruit intensity.
Should I decant this sparkling wine?
No decanting required - serve directly from the bottle well chilled to preserve the mousse and allow the complex aromatics to develop naturally in the glass.
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