Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV
How to say it
The wine that put English sparkling on the world map, crafted from Champagne varieties grown on chalk and greensand soils across three counties.
Nyetimber Classic Cuvée is England's benchmark traditional method sparkling wine, blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Aged for more than three years on lees, it delivers toasty, honeyed complexity from vineyards across West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent. The 1993 vintage won international recognition in 1998, launching English sparkling wine onto the global stage.
- Blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier
- Aged for more than three years on lees before release
- PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) classified English Sparkling Wine
- Nyetimber planted the classic Champagne varieties exclusively in 1988, the first English producer to do so
- Vineyards cover 425 hectares across West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent
- Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs won Sparkling Winemaker of the Year in both 2018 and 2025
- Served at The Savoy, The Ivy, and Dinner by Heston
Origins and Pioneer Status
Nyetimber holds a defining place in English wine history. In 1988, the estate became the first English producer to plant exclusively the classic Champagne varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. That pioneering decision set the template for the modern English sparkling wine industry. The 1993 vintage of Classic Cuvée brought the estate its first international acclaim when it won an award in 1998, signalling to the wine world that England could produce serious sparkling wine.
- First English producer to plant exclusively Champagne varieties, in 1988
- The 1993 vintage won international recognition in 1998
- Classic Cuvée is Nyetimber's flagship wine
- Consistently ranked among the finest English sparkling wines
Vineyards and Terroir
Nyetimber farms 425 hectares of vineyards spread across West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent. The soils are a combination of greensand and chalk, both well-draining and low in fertility, which encourages vines to develop deep root systems and produce concentrated fruit. The cool maritime climate slows ripening, allowing grapes to develop complex flavours while retaining the natural acidity that gives Classic Cuvée its structure and ageing potential. The multi-vintage blend draws on fruit from all of Nyetimber's vineyard sites, ensuring consistency across every release.
- 425 hectares across West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent
- Greensand and chalk soils provide drainage and mineral character
- Cool maritime climate promotes slow, even ripening
- Multi-vintage blend uses fruit from all Nyetimber vineyards
Production and Style
Classic Cuvée is made using the traditional method, the same process used in Champagne. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the wine spends more than three years ageing on its lees before disgorgement. This extended contact with the spent yeast cells builds the toasty, biscuity complexity that defines the wine's character. The Brut style keeps dosage restrained, letting the fruit and autolytic notes take centre stage. The fine, persistent bubbles and balanced palate have made Classic Cuvée a reference point for English sparkling wine.
- Traditional method production with secondary fermentation in bottle
- Minimum three years on lees before release
- Released as a Brut style
- Fine bubbles and an elegant, well-balanced palate
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Open Wine Lookup →Recognition and Winemaking
Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs has been instrumental in shaping the modern style of Classic Cuvée. She won the title of Sparkling Winemaker of the Year in both 2018 and 2025, making Nyetimber one of the most decorated sparkling wine producers outside of Champagne. The wine is a fixture on the lists of some of Britain's most prestigious establishments, including The Savoy, The Ivy, and Dinner by Heston, cementing its status as the go-to English sparkling wine for fine dining.
- Cherie Spriggs won Sparkling Winemaker of the Year in 2018 and 2025
- Gold medals and international awards across multiple vintages
- Listed at The Savoy, The Ivy, and Dinner by Heston
- Benchmark producer for the English sparkling wine category
Toasty and honeyed with aromas of caramel, almond, biscuit, and spice. The palate is elegant and well-structured, with fine persistent bubbles and a creamy texture from extended lees ageing. Fresh acidity provides balance and length.
- Nyetimber Classic Cuvée Multi-Vintage$40-55The flagship itself; 60% Chardonnay with three-plus years on lees delivers benchmark English sparkling complexity.Find →
- Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs$65-80100% Chardonnay from Nyetimber's chalk vineyards, showing the estate's single-variety precision and finesse.Find →
- Nyetimber Rosé$45-60A Pinot-dominant blend from the same estate, with red fruit character and the signature creamy lees texture.Find →
- Blend: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier; classified as English Sparkling Wine PDO
- Nyetimber was the first English producer to plant exclusively Champagne varieties, in 1988
- Minimum lees ageing exceeds three years, significantly longer than Champagne NV minimums
- Soils are greensand and chalk across 425 hectares in West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent
- The 1993 vintage won international recognition in 1998, the breakthrough moment for English sparkling wine