Chapel Down adds to Kit’s Coty range with a single vineyard Bacchus

In keeping with its St George’s Day releases, Kent wine estate Chapel Down has added to its Kit’s Coty range with the launch of a single vineyard Bacchus.

The sixth Bacchus made by the estate, Kit’s Coty Bacchus 2016 is produced from the finest parcels of the grape grown at Chapel Down’s Kit’s Coty vineyard.

The grapes were hand harvested in late September then whole-bunch pressed before undergoing wild fermentation in third and fourth use French oak barrels for nine months to add richness and complexity.

“This very ripe style of Bacchus has guava, melon and peach aromas with background oak influence. The palate is pure and focused with tropical flavours and exceptional length,” Chapel Down’s head winemaker, Josh Donaghay-Spire, said.

“With all of the wines within the Kit’s Coty collection, we strive to push the boundaries of English wine and produce the finest expressions of each variety.

“I have a particular affinity with Bacchus, as it is so well suited to the English terroir coupled with its versatility in the styles it can produce,” he added.

The Bacchus joins a Chardonnay and £100 sparkler, Coeur de Cuvee, in the Kit’s Coty single vineyard range, which debuted in 2016 with the 2013 Chardonnay, followed by the Coeur de Cuvee 2013 a year later.

“Our vision has always been to produce exceptional wines from the Kit’s Coty estate to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in this country.

“When the first fruit from the Kit’s Coty vineyard was harvested in 2010, we knew this site was capable of excellence. We are thrilled with the results and are excited to now share these wines with the market,” said Mark Harvey, Chapel Down’s managing director.

The wine, which has an rrp of £25, is said to pair well with crab, asparagus risotto and lightly smoked fish.