Hundred Hills Preamble N2

Hundred Hills Preamble No. 2 brings together generous ripe fruit, a beautifully soft mousse and the freshness that makes English sparkling wine so appealing. There is plenty of substance beneath the bubbles, with orchard fruit, delicate citrus and almond pastry giving it a wonderfully inviting character. It is a lovely bottle to open for a celebration, but also one worth taking to the dinner table, where its texture and bright acidity really come into their own.

Based in Oxfordshire, Hundred Hills grows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on chalk-rich slopes, focusing on wines that express the character of their vineyards and the growing season. The inspiration comes partly from Burgundy, where individual sites and the differences between harvests are central to a wine’s identity. Here, that thinking is applied to English sparkling wine, with a restrained approach in the cellar intended to let the fruit and vineyard character shine through.

Preamble No. 2 combines Chardonnay from the thin soils of the Amphitheatre vineyards with Pinot Noir grown on gentler slopes, where a long ripening season allows flavour to develop gradually. The appeal lies in that balance between ripeness and freshness: generous fruit gives the wine depth and an approachable, rounded character, while lively acidity keeps each mouthful refreshing. Rather than pursuing an identical expression every year, Hundred Hills allows the personality of each harvest to remain part of the wine.

Ripe pear and cooked quince lead the aromas, followed by fragrant stone fruit and a delicate citrus lift. On the palate, peach and nectarine mingle with tangerine and subtle almond pastry notes. The mousse feels velvety and generous, adding a creamy texture without overwhelming the fruit. There is a satisfying contrast between that softness and the mouth-watering acidity, giving the wine both richness and energy. The finish brings the citrus and pastry notes back into focus, encouraging another sip.

Hundred Hills Preamble No. 2 Food Pairing Suggestion:

Try it with warm roasted goat’s cheese and pumpkin, finished with thyme and toasted pumpkin seeds. The wine’s ripe fruit complements the pumpkin’s natural sweetness, while its acidity refreshes the palate after the creamy cheese. Pumpkin risotto with sage butter is another delicious option, with the almond pastry notes complementing the dish’s nutty, savoury richness. For something smaller, serve alongside goat’s cheese tartlets as a generous aperitif.