Vineyards and winemaking
White Cliffs is a Blanc de Blancs from Chardonnay grown on Simpsons' estate vineyards in the North Downs of Kent. The intensely lime-rich chalk and temperate maritime climate support slow ripening, bright acidity and the fine mineral character that gives the wine its name.
The grapes were hand-harvested in October 2019 and whole-bunch pressed. Most of the base wine fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel, with around 20% in French oak, before secondary fermentation in bottle and 36 months on the lees. Disgorgement took place in January 2023.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Pale gold with a fine, persistent mousse.
Nose
Lemon, green apple and hawthorn are layered with toasted brioche, almond and cool chalk.
Palate
Vibrant and finely drawn, with citrus and crisp orchard fruit carried by precise English acidity. Lees ageing gives a creamy mid-palate, while subtle oak adds breadth before a long, saline and mineral finish.
Food pairing
Serve with Whitstable oysters, dressed crab, smoked trout, chicken and leek terrine, or a classic cheese soufflé. The wine's chalky line and fine bubbles are especially graceful with simply prepared shellfish.
Background story
The name White Cliffs refers both to the estate's proximity to Dover and to the same chalk formation that runs beneath Simpsons' vineyards. Charles and Ruth Simpson founded the Kent estate in 2012, applying experience gained at their Languedoc property to a distinctly English landscape.
This 2019 vintage is a traditional-method sparkling wine built entirely around Chardonnay. Extended lees ageing and measured use of barrel fermentation add complexity while preserving the purity, freshness and sense of place that define the North Downs.
