Why clones make a difference in the vineyard – Friday 26th September (non-member)

We all know that the vagaries of terroir mean Chardonnay grown in Burgundy will taste very different from Chardonnay grown in California. But even within the same vineyard, the planting of varying clones means the same grape variety can yield very different characteristics.

Chardonnay grown around the world is genetically identical, but develops clonal variations according to the local terroir. These mutations can alter the physiology of the vine, creating differing foliage types, grape cluster/berry sizes, skin-juice ratio, sugar/acid/tannin levels, colour etc etc. It is these variations that lend individual clones their character, which shines through in the eventual wine – leading wine geeks to get very excited about wines made from the Gingin or Pommard clones, for example.

We are delighted, then, to welcome founder of the West London Wine School Jimmy Smith to make sense of all this in his signature accessible, inclusive and entertaining style. With fellow educator and winemaker Sam Hill, he will explain how clones work and why they’re important, all by way of live examples in the form of the debut release of clonal wines from their Surrey Hills winery, Beare Green.

Jimmy and Sam have meticulously researched the impact of clonal selection of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to produce a range of exceptionally high-quality wines. Working with some of the UK’s top growers across the South of England, the winery crafts small-batch wines which, beyond the all-important clonal selection, harness natural yeast fermentation and minimal intervention amid a range of other winemaking innovations.

All will be revealed on the night – so join us to tune in and geek out (in a very non-geeky way).

The wines we will be tasting:
2023 Dio Bacchus, Surrey Hills (glass on arrival)
2023 Chardonnay, Thakeham Vineyard (Clone 121), West Sussex
2023 Chardonnay, Pulborough Vineyard (Clone 95), West Sussex
2023 Chardonnay, Pulborough Vineyard (Clone 96), West Sussex
2023 Chardonnay, Clonal Blend, West Sussex
2023 Pinot Noir, Pulborough Vineyard (Clone 777), West Sussex
2023 Pinot Noir, Pulborough Vineyard (Clone 114), West Sussex
2023 Pinot Noir, Clonal Blend, West Sussex

Friday 26th September
Lutyens Room
18:30 – Welcome Drink
19:00 – Masterclass starts
20:30 – Masterclass ends

Please note, tickets are refundable for cancellations up to 5 days before the event. Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Any cancellations within 5 days of the event are non-refundable unless 67 Pall Mall resells the ticket to another Member. This is only possible when the event is sold out and there is a waiting list.

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