Produced by Langham Wine Estate in Dorset, Culver is a Pinot Noir-dominant traditional-method English sparkling wine, named after the Cretaceous chalk strata beneath the estate’s vineyards. The current blend is 45% Pinot Meunier, 43% Pinot Noir and 12% Chardonnay, with reserve wine adding further depth. The fruit comes from Langham’s south-southwest-facing vineyard, planted on flinty clay over deep Cretaceous chalk.
Winemaking:
Langham follows a distinctly low-intervention approach. Fruit is pressed oxidatively, with the juice fermented spontaneously in a combination of stainless steel and older French oak, followed by full malolactic fermentation and extended lees contact with regular bâtonnage. The wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle, with around 15–18 months on lees, and is bottled without fining or filtration at a very low 1.5 g/L dosage.
Tasting note:
The nose is rich and expressive, showing ripe raspberry, red cherry and blackcurrant leaf, alongside toasted pastry, almond and a subtle smoky character. On the palate it is broad yet finely balanced, with a silky mousse and bright, zesty acidity carrying flavours of red cherry, cranberry, kumquat and ripe stone fruit. A gentle saline and chalky minerality adds precision, while the extended lees ageing brings a savoury, yeasty complexity. The finish is long, fresh and lightly spiced, with a touch of lemon mousse and Sichuan pepper.
A serious English Classic Cuvée, combining red-fruited richness, chalk-driven freshness and low-intervention complexity—and recently awarded Gold and Best Classic Cuvée NV at the WineGB Awards 2025.
