The Grange Classic NV Hampshire, Dry

Under Burges Field's thin cap of gravelly clay lies a deep layer of pure white chalk dotted with hard silica flints. Hundreds of metres deep, the chalk layer acts like a sponge, storing water from the winter storms for the heat of the summer. It also does something magical – it imparts a steely minerality, like rain on black flint, to the taste of the Chardonnay – a minerality that gives the wines their fine structure and should let them age beautifully.

The vineyard grows the classic Champagne grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, each gives its own character.

Pinot Noir brings raspberry fruit, body and a savour of earthiness. Chardonnay has green apple and citrus freshness and that briochey, vanilla butteriness that is so moreish. Pinot Meunier, rarely used on its own in a wine, brings an aromatic, fruit-filled roundness to the blends.