Grapes : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier

Every vineyard has a beginning. Some are centuries old, layered with history and tradition. Take Persia (or Iran ) with Shiraz, Carméneré with Bordeaux. Others — like Foxford — are part of a newer, more dynamic chapter in English wine. This is what makes the adventure and journey through wine so enriching.

Foxford Vineyard began in 2019, when Nick and Mary Hill acquired a plot of land in Hampshire’s Test Valley. This move was due to the owners see Hampshire as a emerging area for sparkling wine. Due to its cool climate location and a long ripening season AS well as similar soils to that of Champagne.

Having Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier you can see where comparisons emerge.

But buying land is one thing. Understanding it is another.

The Foxford site sits on sandstone with free-draining sandy loam soils. Allowing vines to struggle — allowing concentration, balance and character in the fruit. Add this to a south-facing aspect, (max sunlight) and you begin to see the intent behind the project. This wasn’t guesswork — it was quiet precision from the outset.

Planting followed in 2020, with around 8,500 vines spread across 2 hectares or 2 Twickenham rugby pitches.

But what defines Foxford isn’t just what was planted — it’s how it’s farmed. Hands-on means pruning, training, canopy management by the owners themselves- like so many small vineyards in the UK. Total control ! At harvest, grapes are hand-picked with local teams, reinforcing that sense of community and careful selection over efficiency.

The first real milestone came with the 2022 harvest — Foxford’s maiden vintage. But as with all serious sparkling wine, patience is part of the story. These wines were not rushed to market. Instead, they were left to develop on lees, building texture, complexity and depth before release.That patience is important as it defines you : the first release of Foxford wines was in 2025 marking the vineyard’s first steps onto the UK wine stage.

Foxford is a modern English vineyard, built from scratch doing the right thing first time at the right time. All too often, producers rush and end up with wine of no real style or character. Small scale, terroir-driven and focused on quality from day one is the key if you want niche market and consumer loyalty.

Develop when you want how you want and what you want.

English sparkling wine has, in recent years shifted from curiosity to credibility. Hampshire is firmly on the map. In many ways, Foxford represents the new England: not experimental, not accidental — but deliberate, informed and quietly confident.

What it Tastes like

2022 Foxford Vineyard Classic Brut

A first release of any wine always sets the tone, defines intent of the winemaker and quietly tells you what the vineyard is capable of. Foxford’s Classic Brut 2022 does exactly that. This is English sparkling with clarity, balance and a sense of purpose — not trying too hard, just getting it right. Although this was a bottle sent from the owners it is potentially a wine that I will have on my website. What do I need for my portfolio, is it different from other in the market and will it be consumer friendly. Well..

Appearance

Bright pale gold and lively bubbles – a very good start! Very clean and a brightness that shows a sign towards careful winemaking.

Aroma

Fresh and focused. Green apple and lemon zest on the nose. Additional notes of white peach and pear soften the experience. Add a touch of biscuit and fresh bread from lees ageing and you have an elegant English sparkling wine. This sparkler has a lot to offer and marries a lot of characteristics wonderfully.

Palate

Crisp, energetic and beautifully balanced. The palate opens with citrus drive — lemon, grapefruit and green apple ending with soft orchard fruit. A touch of creaminess and brioche. The mousse is smooth with refreshing acidity – just what you want with the food pairing

A very versatile wine and would pair well with Oysters, crab and shellfish, grilled sea bass or cod or light chicken dishes with herbs

First Release – Why It Matters

The 2022 “Classic” is Foxford Vineyard’s debut vintage, produced in small quantities from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Crafted using the traditional method and aged over two years on lees, it represents a clear statement of intent: quality over quantity, precision over excess.

First releases are always telling — and here, Foxford shows it understands balance, restraint and drinkability from the outset. This isn’t just a starting point; it’s a very confident introduction.

Gets my seal of approval and a wish list on my site 5*

GW Conclusion : When you look at the vineyard and its sole wine you think sure this is super small scale. Yes it has the 3 champagne grapes needed for crispness, freshness ; complexity and depth and also rusticness. If you like 100% Pinot meunier this Sparkling wine is probably not for you. If you love Blanc de Noirs then this one may not also not be for you. But if you love the champagne grapes in equal measures ( the majority of Champagnes). Then i think you’ll love this one.

Support British and you may just have to compare sparkling wine from the UK with its Champagne neighbours. Now thats a difficult task indeed !

Available on their website £32 a bottle or £170 for 6 ( saving of £22)

Foxford Winery website

DM me for more info Contact Me !

Stay tuned for vineyard visits and insights from the vineyard .

Tasting Notes

To get the colour the 100% Pinot Noir wine is gently pressed and fermented with little skin contact resulting in a pale and elegant appearance. Its white wine made from black grapes (confused ? ) Resulting in a fresh red fruited sparkling wine with elegance

Apperance.

Open the bottles and let the bubbles descend. Pale straw in colour with soft copper reflections, a sign it may be borne from entirely Pinot Noir. Evidence of fine bubbles forms a creamy mousse that lingers. Imagine fresh bright and enticing

Aroma

On the nose think wild strawberry, raspberry, and tart red currant together with green apple and lemon zest, white blossoms and wild rose add a delicate touch. Also enjoy brioche and fresh pastry dough. A touch of salty minerality as well compliments the experience.

Palate

Well balanced – bubbles are creamy and vibrant. The fruit profile echoes the nose with bright red cherry and raspberry, underpinned by crisp citrus and green apple. Brioche and nuttiness evident again – resulting in a clean, zesty, mineral-tinged finish that lingers with a hint of citrus peel and red fruit.

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Food pairing: Because of its characteristic the wine makes a perfect companion to Oysters, Shrimp cocktail and Salmon blinis.  Scallops work well as does Sushi. Try with Soft Cheeses

In the Paso Doblé Brut Blanc de Noir, Vino Vargas delivers a sparkling wine that bridges clarity of fruit, textural finesse, and classic method craft — making it both a celebration wine and a deeply enjoyable companion at the table. Unfortunately , due to retirement Vino Vargas is no longer in operation in Paso,USA. But it is important to highlight such an interesting wine and just shows you what you can do with Pinot Noir – If its your grape!

Tinaquaic Vineyard & Foxen Winery — A Brief History

Foxen Vineyard is one of Santa Barbara prominent vineyards.
Tinaquaic Vineyard itself is one of Foxen’s original estate sites. But here in the sleepy corner of the Santa Barbara region lies a Syrah who shows off depth, spice and elegant structures To top all of that the wines here lend themself to the hommage of their Côte-Rôtie cousin in the Old World

So what did I make of it …….
 
Foxen 2021 Syrah — Toasted Rope (Tinaquaic Vineyard)

Appearance: In the glass of the 2021 Toasted Rope lies a deep ruby-purple centre, dark as dark. With a touch of garnet on the rim. Some might think it’s 100% Petit Verdot because its so dark – or an enchanted pool looking deeper and deeper into the abyss – but here something is more alluring. Medium body and decent alcohol level.  This wine is a treat to experience.

Aroma: Forest floor fruits (try saying that when your drunk) evident first – complemented by plum and dark cherry. Touches of white pepper, dried herbs. Subtle smoky aroma – This wine is enticing!

Palate: Concentrated dark fruit wrapped in spice and supple tannins. A 15% Viognier pushes up the texture, increases floral notes but dances with smoky, almost roasted notes beneath the fruit. Acidity is balanced and poised with a long finish. This is a “leave me alone in a room listening to vinyl with your headphones on” kind of wine

In short: It’s a grown-up wine. Buy that leather Club chair and sink into it. Let the world drift on ahead of you. This wine is for the moment.

Pair with: Grilled lamb chops, Beef short rib ragu, Smoked duck breast etc.

The GrapeWizard Verdict : The 2021 Foxen Toasted Rope Syrah from Tinaquaic Vineyard is a compelling example of Central Coast Syrah done with purpose and pedigree. It combines bold fruit, peppery spice and floral nuance with balanced tannin and lingering finish, making it one of the standouts in Foxen’s esteemed portfolio of estate single-vineyard wines
Another example of a fabulous Syrah from a region that doesn’t really get a look in . Contact me for more infor about this fabulous wine and other syrahs from my shop

http://www.thegrapewizard.co.uk

CHANGING THE STYLE AND OPINION OF A REGION IN THE MOST MODERN OF WAYS

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Ventiventi Vineyard is a family-owned winery founded and run by the Razzaboni family — specifically the patriarch Vittorio Razzaboni and his sons Riccardo, Andrea and Tommaso.

The family conceived and built the estate together, with the winery’s name Ventiventi (“twenty-twenty”) marking the year 2020 when the winery became fully operational and released its first wines. From the very beginning, the Razzabonis planted their own vineyards starting in 2016, converting family-owned land north of Modena in Emilia-Romagna into organic vineyards and constructing a modern winery centrally located within their estate.

This hands-on approach reflects their commitment to controlling every aspect of cultivation and winemaking. Today, Ventiventi remains firmly in family hands and embodies the shared vision of its founders, combining tradition, sustainability and modern winemaking methods.

The brothers play complementary roles in the business — Riccardo often handling commercial and marketing direction, Andrea overseeing winemaking and technical decisions, and Tommaso bringing additional energy and innovation to the project alongside their father.

Their ownership philosophy emphasises organic viticulture, meticulous grape selection and sustainable practices — not as marketing buzzwords but as integral parts of how the winery operates daily. This family ownership and personal stewardship ensure that the estate’s direction is closely aligned with their values of quality, environmental respect and regional identity.

For decades, Lambrusco has carried the weight of misunderstanding. Once synonymous with mass-market sweetness and supermarket shortcuts, the region’s reputation drifted far from its roots. Yet beneath that veneer lay one of Italy’s most historic and naturally suited landscapes for vibrant, food-driven wine. Ventiventi arrives not as a reinvention of Lambrusco, but as a reminder of what it was always capable of when treated with intent.

Ventiventi is located in Emilia-Romagna, just north of Modena — a region better known globally for Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar and cured meats than for fine wine. That culinary pedigree matters. Historically, Lambrusco was never meant to be a contemplative, cellar-bound luxury; it was a table wine, designed to refresh the palate, cut through richness and elevate food. The mistake of the late 20th century was not the grape, but the industrialisation of its expression.

Founded in 2020 by the Razzaboni family, Ventiventi represents a modern Emilia-Romagna mindset: organic farming, site transparency and a willingness to slow things down. The estate’s vineyards sit on clay-rich, mineral soils, ideally suited to varieties such as Lambrusco di Sorbara, Ancellotta, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco. These soils naturally preserve acidity and aromatic precision — exactly what great sparkling and frizzante wines demand.

So why should Lambrusco be trusted again?

Historically, Lambrusco is one of Italy’s oldest documented wine styles, referenced as far back as Roman times. It thrived because it worked with the land, the climate and the food. What undermined its credibility was volume-driven production — tank fermentation, residual sugar masking imbalance, and a race to the lowest common denominator. Ventiventi stands firmly on the other side of that divide.

By embracing Metodo Classico for several wines — the same bottle-fermentation technique used in Champagne — Ventiventi demonstrates just how serious Lambrusco can be when yields are controlled and lees ageing is respected. Their wines prioritise acidity, savoury minerality and structural balance, rather than sweetness or overt fruitiness. This is Lambrusco reconnected to gastronomy.

Crucially, Ventiventi does not reject Lambrusco’s natural exuberance. Wines like La Vie remain joyful, energetic and approachable — but they are clean, precise and food-ready. Others, such as the Rosé Metodo Classico or Rouge de Noir, reveal depth, texture and complexity that would surprise even seasoned drinkers who think they’ve “outgrown” the region.

What Ventiventi proves is that Lambrusco never lacked potential — it lacked restraint. Emilia-Romagna’s climate, soils and culinary culture have always been aligned with fresh, expressive wines. Today’s producers simply have the confidence to trust that alignment again.

For drinkers willing to reassess old assumptions, Ventiventi offers something rare: a historic region speaking clearly in a modern voice. Not louder. Just more honest. And far more compelling than its past ever suggested. 🍷

Ownership remains hands-on, with the Razzaboni family directly overseeing strategic direction, vineyard management and long-term vision. This continuity of stewardship is essential to understanding Ventiventi’s identity. The wines are not designed to chase nostalgia or reinvent Lambrusco beyond recognition; instead, they seek to restore trust through transparency and precision.

In historical terms, Ventiventi represents a quiet correction rather than a rebellion. It acknowledges where the region faltered but refuses to dismiss centuries of viticultural knowledge. Under the Razzaboni family’s ownership, the vineyard stands as proof that Lambrusco’s future is strongest when it is rooted firmly in its past — honest, food-driven and confidently local.

So.

Not that I do this often, but I was contacted by an Italian marketing company to assess if the wines the vineyard produced were A) suitable for the UK market and B) How good were they !

🥂 VENTIVENTI BLANC DE BLANCS – Metodo Classico

Style: Traditional method sparkling wine
Focus: Precision, minerality and finesse

Appearance
Pale straw yellow with subtle green highlights and a fine, persistent mousse that speaks to careful lees ageing.

Aroma
Elegant and restrained, opening with green apple, pear and lemon zest, followed by hints of white flowers, fresh almond and chalky minerality. Subtle brioche notes emerge with air.

Palate
Crisp and linear on entry, driven by bright acidity and saline minerality. Citrus and orchard fruit are layered with a gentle creaminess from the lees, finishing clean, dry and refreshing.

Food Pairing
Ideal with oysters, scallop crudo, grilled langoustines, or simple dishes where freshness is key. Also excellent with Parmigiano Reggiano shavings or tempura vegetables.

GW Verdict: Surprising experience of this Blanc de Blancs, lots of elegance, fine mousse (like someone cares for the wine!) and a perfect balance of fruit, acidity bready notes and minerality. Considering I was expecting something else this one surprised me because of its elegant Characteristics

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🌸 VENTIVENTI ROSÉ – Lambrusco di Modena DOC, Metodo Classico

Style: Sparkling rosé
Focus: Floral aromatics and savoury freshness

Appearance
Delicate pale pink with coral hues, animated by a refined and continuous stream of bubbles.

Aroma
Lifted and expressive with wild strawberry, raspberry and rose petal, complemented by subtle citrus peel and a lightly savoury, mineral undertone.

Palate
Fresh and vibrant with crunchy red fruit, taut acidity and a gentle creamy texture. The finish is dry, savoury and mouth-watering, making it highly drinkable yet serious.

Food Pairing
A natural partner for seafood antipasti, tuna tartare, sushi, or prosciutto and melon. Also works beautifully with soft cheeses and spring vegetable dishes.

GW verdict: elegant, floral and delicate lots of red fruit. Imagine gently being stoked on the cheek with a feather and smell a fresh bouquet of rose petals. Not harsh, No big bubbles –   just a soft creamy experience that would be welcome with any clean food dish (see above)

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🍷 LA VIE – Lambrusco Rosso di Modena DOC

Style: Frizzante red
Focus: Energy, fruit purity and conviviality

Appearance
Bright ruby red with a lively frizzante sparkle that immediately signals freshness and approachability.

Aroma
Juicy and aromatic, showing strawberry, red cherry and raspberry, lifted by floral notes and a subtle citrus twist.

Palate
Light-bodied and refreshing with vivid red fruit, crisp acidity and gentle tannins. The palate is sapid and energetic, finishing clean and irresistibly drinkable.

Food Pairing
Perfect with pizza, cured meats, tortellini, lasagne, or grilled sausages. A classic Lambrusco for the table — versatile, fun and food-friendly.

GW Verdict: At its best, La Vie offers bright red fruit aromatics (strawberry, raspberry) with floral and citrus touches.  You experience a salty saline edge to the wine

 Critically, La Vie was received well in the industry tastings due to its  juicy palate, delicate mousse and balanced fruit. lively acidity dances on the palate. Wines like these from historical regions like these need a little time with the public consciousness. Don’t ignore these wines because of lambrusco and what it once was.  These are a delight to drink. Never pre-judge –  Taste in the moment

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🍾 ROUGE DE NOIR – Metodo Classico

Style: Traditional method sparkling from dark-skinned grapes
Focus: Structure, depth and gastronomic appeal

Appearance
Light copper to pale ruby tones with a fine, elegant mousse that hints at both power and finesse.

Aroma
Complex and layered, offering red apple, wild berries and blood orange, alongside hints of spice, dried herbs and toasted bread from extended lees contact.

Palate
Structured and precise with a creamy mid-palate, firm acidity and savoury depth. Red fruit and citrus notes are balanced by mineral tension, leading to a long, dry finish.

Food Pairing
An excellent match for roast poultry, duck, mushroom risotto, or richer seafood dishes. Also shines with aged cheeses and refined charcuterie.

GW verdict: Heavier in style than the previous 3 wines more atoned to bigger food like duck and creamy risotto although still delicate. You do get a sense that the fruit controls the show. Not in an overt way but just enough to complement those bigger foods.

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🍇 The GrapeWizard Take

Ventiventi excels at redefining Emilia-Romagna sparkling wines, proving that Lambrusco and local varieties can deliver finesse, depth and serious gastronomic value when treated with precision and intent. The wines surprise and delight. There is a wine for most foods here  and that is testament to the family and the winemaker’s skill. Glad I tried Lambrusco wines as these 4 bottles changed the way I view a region based on its history.

LA PIU BELLE 2019

Sometimes in the wine industry wines can become the norm. Try so many and the tastes, the characteristics begin to taste the same. The search for something different remains elusive. Due to subjective tastes we all have different opinions on what we like or dislike.  , different dislikes. What I am always looking for is :

“Does the wine represent the grapes varietal and does it offer something different. “

All grapes have generic characteristics. I can never say that a Cabernet Sauvignon should have the same characteristics throughout the world, but it does follow certain flavours or styles. Cabernet Sauvignon does enjoy black fruit, blackberries and black cherries as its character etc.

Sometimes producers/ weather plays around with tannins, alcohol levels, and body. As a consumer we have to find our style , our grape – its what makes it a fascinating learning curve. Don’t just drink  £50 Chardonnays from the West Coast of America or big powerful reds from Austrailia. Enjoy the wine trail and have fun along the way.  

Look behind the label and see what the producer is trying to say. What they believe in and whether the grapes are to your tastes. Do they resonate with you.

Find the grapes you love and find your style (even if that involves blends)

Your wine journey should be gradual. Find the stories, the tastes and enjoy.

Its important for me , nowadays , to pick and choose wines not based on price (although anything over 100 is out of reach for most of us on a weekly basis.) but to highlight a wine because of how sexy the label is, what’s in the bottle and what story does it tell!

So, reviewing this wine. What do you expect me to say!

Well VIK is a well regarded producer in Chile and has gained international attention in recent years. Mainly down to their quality against price strategy. La Piu Belle is no different. Even though it offers a £50 price tag it does show elegance, finesse and beauty.

Vik’s website highlights the link between the goddess of nature, love, fertility, beauty and art. So much of that is transposed into the wine. Even a Chilean painter, Gonzalo Cienfuegos, showcases the Goddess on its full bottle label.

A blend of 51 % Cabernet Sauvignon 41 % Carmenere  8 %.  Syrah

Typically, Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep red colour, characteristics of blackcurrant, cedar, cassis, liquorice, mint, and green pepper and can be found in most regions around the world. Carmenere has a deep red or violet colour. Characteristics of red and black fruit, spice, smokiness, and herbs and originally found in Bordeaux now predominantly in Chile. Finally, Syrah has a dark blue to touches of black. Characteristics of blackberry, black pepper, cassis, bacon, smoke, violets, liquorice, chocolate, herbs, and olives and found in hotter climates due to the thicker skins needed for the hot weather.

The wine …

Aroma

A dark earthy characteristic unveils Carmenere here with notes of Blackberries, prunes and forest floor fruits. Delve deeper into the experience and you get the red strawberries and raspberries from the Cabernet Sauvignon

Palate

Still the characteristics from the aromas carry forward (blackberries, prunes, blueberries and forest fruits) but you also get the Syrah coming through in the form of a thick compote – almost like cassis. A delicate floral aroma also comes from the Syrah

Food pairing:

Beef , Cheese, Game and Steak

Size of vineyards (x 327 Twickenham rugby pitches)

Ageing potential 2025 – 2050

So, in all, is this wine worth the £50 price tag. I believe it is. It has history, it has the characteristics that I want from a blend of 3 big grapes in one bottle. I like their story, and the branding is on point.

Experience the elegant the intense and the fresh and this is what you’ve got. You will have to spend time with this wine as it is complex it does show different layers at different time. But in time it may become your friend. It’s an enticing wine

Will I be drinking it every week. No – but it is certainly a friend. I will be buying it again

If I was to write a book about wines to drink before I die, this would be in there !

Whatever your tastes wherever you go – FIND YOUR GRAPE!

Niche Producers with a fabulous story to tell and dangerously delicious wines!

exciting wines you don’t see or try every day.

it’s not just about me! it’s all about the grapes!

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