Kingscote sparkling cuvée pays tribute to founder

Sussex winery Kingscote Estate has released its first ever sparkling wine, which it has named Cuvée Christen in a tribute to its late founder, Christen Monge.

Christen Monge pictured in the Tithe Barn of Kingscote Estate

Monge died suddenly in May 2015 at the age of 61 following a stroke. A former advertising executive and the creative brain behind the launch of Fosters in the UK, as well as a number of iconic Guinness advertisements, Monge had intended to bring his brand experience to English wine, building a sparkling wine premium brand as part of a tourism destination.

Monge had purchased the 150-acre Kingscote Estate, located in the Kingscote Valley, near East Grinstead, in 1999. The vineyards of the estate were been planted within the English country garden created by author William Robinson, who previously owned the land.

db reported in January how the £4.5m estate had been put on the market following Monge’s sudden death.

Kingscote executive winemaker Owen Elias said that the estate’s first ever sparkling wine was a fitting tribute to its “inspirational” founder.

“Kingscote’s first ever estate sparkling wine has been produced using a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc grapes. This youthful, fresh and distinctive wine pays tribute to inspirational founder Christen Monge and is named Cuvée Christen in his memory,” he said.

The Kingscote Cuvée Christen is a brut sparkling wine with an ABV of 12%. A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc grown and vinified on the Kingscote Estate, the wine has a citrusy nose with lime leaf notes. On the palate it is rich and crisp with intense apple, lemon and hints of white chocolate. It is described by Kingscote as an “invigorating apéritif-style fizz”.

Kingscote Cuvée Christen can be purchased online at www.kingscoteestate.com or at Kingscote Estate’s shop, priced at £25.99.

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