Just 10-miles south of Maidstone, the Marden Vineyard sits in the fertile Weald of Kent. Planted in 2007, this vineyard is the home of the Herbert Hall Traditional Method Brut, one of the UK’s finest sparkling wines. It’s champagne in all but name, made using the traditional grapes and the traditional secondary fermentation in bottle method. The vineyard is warm, and is sheltered by old hedgerows. The tough soil and the sunshine across the slopes make for small grapes with intense flavours. All organic and all hand crafted, the philosophy of the business is very much about minimal intervention, allowing the quality of the fruit to shine through.
The Herbert Hall Traditional Method Brut is a clear pale yellow colour, the nose is floral and gives hints of vanilla. There’s a sweetness and a buttery flavour with the biscuit finish that you would expect. It’s easy drinking, not acidic and very smooth. It’s a class act and reflects the attention to detail that proprietor Nick Hall puts into the minimalist intervention approach.