(written exclusively for Kent Life and published in their October 2024 edition)
Forget what you thought you knew about English wine! There are some sassy new grape varieties making waves in the wine world. From the rolling hills of Kent to the lush landscapes of Sussex, these newcomers are strutting their stuff and proving that Britain is more than just a one-grape wonder. Move over Chardonnay! Here come the new kids of the English wine scene: Divico and Chasselas!
Described by some as a “game changer”, Divico is a little cheeky grape that offers hope for the seemingly impossible: full-bodied English red wines. The grape was created in Switzerland in 1997 as a hybrid of Gamaret and Bonner, with the aim of producing a variety with similar characteristics to Pinot Noir, but with high resistance to frost and fungal diseases. Smart them Swiss, aren’t they ? It requires a very short season to fully ripen, which makes it perfect for England's cold springs and permanently wet autumns. It is known to produce deep, dark reds that boast notes of blackberries, plums, and spice. Yum!
“When my vineyard manager, Tony, heard about this new grape variety he was really keen to give it a go. It had never been grown commercially in this country to produce a single varietal wine before, so the whole experience was a giant learning curve. But Divico turns out to be an undemanding grape to grow, it produces fantastic big loose bunches of almost black grapes which, with some love and care and a French oak barrel, makes a fruity wine with plenty of body and balanced tannins. Finally an English red you can drink with hearty winter food”, says Susannah Ricci, the owner of Yotes Court. Yotes Court is a 75-acre vineyard in Kent that marries modern technology, exceptional talent, and sustainable values to produce award-winning still and sparkling wines. As one of a handful of pioneering wine producers in Kent, they are poised to think outside the box. Small wonder, they were the very first vineyard in the UK to plant Divico! The 2021 vintage produced 90 bottles. They have planted more rows of Divico since then and have just released 350 bottles of this beaut in September. If I was you, I would be placing an order before it’s too late!
Locally called “Gutedel”, Chasselas is the king of Swiss white grape varieties. It is celebrated in the Swiss region for its versatility, unique terroir expression, and its seductive aromas of citrus fruit and floral notes. Apart from Switzerland, it is also grown in other European countries, including France, and it has recently found a new stage amidst the green pastures of England! In the English climate, Chasselas reveals a unique character, producing wines that are well-balanced, with a vibrant palate of peach, white flowers, and honey, and a refreshing finish. If only grapes could wear crowns…
“Barry [the owner of Bluebell] wanted to grow Chasselas, because it has big berries and big bunches. It is known to produce wines with an aromatic composition, and we wanted to explore its potential. We currently have four clones of Chasselas, varying in crop loads. It can suffer from powdery disease and Botrytis, so it can be difficult to manage, but it is a very rewarding variety to work with”, says Kevin Sutherland, the winemaker at Bluebell Vineyard, an award-winning estate in the heart of Sussex. Bluebell was established in 2005 with one goal and one goal only: to produce wine that can rival the best. And the proof of the wine is in the sipping, as they say! Their still and sparkling wines have been awarded over a hundred national and international awards, including from Decanter Awards, WineGB, and International Wine Challenge. They are currently one of the very few vineyards in the UK that grow Chasselas, crafting a delightful expression of this beloved variety. Their 2022 vintage is still in stock and vanishing faster than you can say “Cheers!” - you do not want to miss out on this one!
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