Dorset Sparkling Wine

Description:

Dorset's sparkling wine

A new vineyard has been planted in a farm near Dorchester, reputed to be the largest in Dorset.

Farmer Justin Langham, who is new to wine making, has made the diversification on his farm near Milborne St Andrew in a bid to boost his business.

It's been a huge project. Justin said: "The vineyard has been over two years in the planning, and I ordered the vines from a French nursery over 18 months ago. You can't just buy them off the shelf - you have to put in a very specific order. We've gone for what's called a high graft vine, where most are usually low graft vines [this determines the fruit type]. There are a huge variation of types of vine so it's important to have the right type of vine for the climate."

There are several vineyards around Dorset, as the area is known to share a soil type and climate similar to the Champagne region of France.

Jeremy went on to say: " The climate we've got here and in the southern part of the county is very similar to how that region of France was 20 - 25 years ago. We're getting warmer, and they are now getting worried as their climate is getting rather too warm to produce the Champagne varieties they've been able to produce in the past."

Each of the 33,000 vines, which were delivered in May, were planted in only four days using a GPS guided machine, however the vine planting is just the start of it.

Each vine needs a cane on it, with two rubber clips, then came the trellising posts that had to be put in. Jeremy got through 66,000 rubber clips, 8,500 metal posts, 240 km of wire - all of which has to be done by hand.

The work will continue as each vine has to be pruned at the end of the year. A lot of spraying work has to be done to counteract the effects of our damp climate. From the time of picking the grapes to drinking the wine takes two years.

The grapes will produce three different types of sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Menier - the three classic Champagne varieties.

Jeremy chose sparkling wine as it sells for a higher price and will potentially make a greater profit, however there won't be any wine from the vineyards for a few years yet.

Jeremy said: "It should, all being well, be 2013 [when the first wine is produced] but it's possible we might by the end of 2012. I think there's a thirst for wine, sparkling wine sales are going up and hopefully there will always be a market place for it, especially as it is made in Dorset."

Do you like British wines. Let us know your favourite vineyard and/or wine variety by blogging us at Guide2Dorset.com