Hampshire-based wine estate, Black Chalk released its first premium sparkling wines to critical acclaim last year. The wines – named Paragon and Inversion – are both from the celebrated 2020 vintage, the year Black Chalk gained estate status and finalised the build of its winery.

The new wines, which are technically focused, with careful clonal, yeast strain and oak selections, and a minimal intervention approach, show the extraordinary potential and purity of Hampshire fruit, specifically from Black Chalk’s Test Valley site.

Paragon is a Blanc de Blancs, made from four Chardonnay clones; Inversion is Blanc de Noir, a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier sourced from four Pinot clones. The wines – along with the rest of the Black Chalk portfolio – are available directly from the winery or via London based wine merchant, Lea & Sandeman, at £64.95.

Co-founder, Winemaker and CEO, Jacob Leadley – who worked in the City before re-training as a winemaker – said about the 2020 vintage: “It was a special one for many reasons here at Black Chalk, including the creation of these two new wines. It was an opportunity for the winemaking team to explore the potential of our new vineyards and have creative freedom in how we wanted to craft these two classic sparkling wine styles.

Producing wines that demonstrate what is possible in England is at the heart of what we do

“My fellow winemaker Zoë Driver and I spent a huge amount of time exploring vineyards, clones, yeast and oak inclusion in both wines before agreeing on two blends which result in an expression that highlights the quality and precision of the fruit. Producing wines that demonstrate what is possible in England is at the heart of what we do, and we feel these two wines do that in bucket loads.

“Paragon is all about the subtle use of oak, chosen to provide a balance to the elegance and fruit profile of the Chardonnay. Inversion is all about highlighting the power of the PN 777 clone, it’s got a real grown-up edge to it.”