Details

Aromas of orchard fruit, sun-dried straw, and a gentle whisper of brioche. Extended lees ageing lends a deep, savoury complexity, layering the nose and palate with creamy toasted notes. This is complemented by vibrant baked apple and lemon zest, with a hint of almond.

 

ABV

Vegetarian/ Vegan Friendly

 

 

THE WINERY

John Sainsbury’s dreams of owning a vineyard and making his own sparkling wine started back in the 1980s when, as CEO of Sainsbury’s, he would regularly tour the vineyards of Champagne. It was there that he first met Hervé Jestin, at the time a young, pioneering winemaker making a name for himself. It was not until 2012 however, and well into his retirement, that he finally fulfilled that dream and, in partnership with his sons, planted five hectares of vines on the family estate in Hampshire’s Candover Valley.  It felt entirely fitting that the consultant winemaker should be Hervé Jestin, by now one the world’s most respected sparkling winemakers, known for his relentless focus on quality and innovation, his refined wines and his non-interventionist and biodynamic approach.

Candover Brook is named after the chalk stream that runs through the valley, chalk streams are almost uniquely English and our chalk soil is the key defining element of our vineyard’s topography. The Candover Brook is one of the few remaining habitats of the rare English white-clawed crayfish. Both the brook and its crayfish are celebrated in the design of our label.

The sons now run the vineyard and the farm that surrounds it according to regenerative principles.