Raimes

The elegance of RAIMES English Sparkling starts to happen on the south-facing slopes of its Hampshire vineyard. Here the chalk substratum lends a particular minerality that helps to achieve a delicate balance of ripeness, acidity and berry aroma. Wines are made in the traditional method using only grapes grown by the Raimes family.

2021 vintage report

It was a challenging year that started with frosts as buds were bursting in May followed by a fairly cloudy damp summer meaning disease pressure from mildews, vigilance to the health of the canopy was vital. We did have some lovely sunny days in October which helped to move ripening forwards.  Our yields were down where we knew we had suffered some frost damage, but the fruit we eventually picked (early November for the Chardonnay) was lovely and ripe.

Vintage 2021 has been all about volunteers and team work.  It’s been a challenging year in terms of weather; persistent spring frosts, and a muggy summer resulting in late ripening and harvest.  We were warned of labour shortages so we asked our local community and followers for help, and were overwhelmed by the response.  We enjoyed the company of enthusiastic volunteers – it was a field filled with great conversation and October sun and the time sped by as we filled the crates.  We look forward to sharing the wines in a few years’ time.