The Wharie Experience THE RED is a vibrant, low-intervention cool-climate gem crafted by Swiss-trained winemaker Guillaume Lagger in Hampshire’s New Forest.
Grape Variety
disease-resistant ideally suited for sustainable English viticulture:
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60% Rondo
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40% Cabaret Noir
Appearance
A beautifully bright, translucent cherry red floods into the glass. It shows off a light-to-medium viscosity and an energetic, crystalline clarity. Visually you get a sense of its low-intervention nature without losing any of its vivid, youthful polish.
Aroma
The nose bursts out of the glass with an army of fresh, crunchy red fruits. Bright redcurrants, sour cherries, and wild raspberries dominate the primary layer. Swirling releases deeper, more complex notes of dark bramble fruit, paired with a subtle, rustic forest-floor earthiness and a faint dusting of baking spice from its partial barrel ageing.
Palate
On the palate, it delivers instant, juicy energy. The dark and red berries take hold with a clean, vibrant fruit character. A beautifully linear, cool-climate acidity gives the wine a lovely "crunch" that keeps it refreshing and light on its feet. The tannins are elegant and structural rather than "moisture-sucking," leading into a surprisingly savory, well-rounded finish that reminds you this is serious, hands-off winemaking.
Food Pairings
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Smoked Duck Breast: The wine's crunchy acidity cuts beautifully through the rich duck fat.
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Charcuterie & Soft Mountain Cheeses: Terrific alongside local Hampshire cheeses or a platter of cured meats.
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Mushroom Risotto: Earthy notes in the Cabaret Noir pair seamlessly with wild forest mushrooms.
The Grape Wizard Verdict
An incredibly exciting, forward-thinking English red that completely shatters the idea that the UK can only do sparkling wine! Because of its bright fruit structure and refreshing acidity, you could easily be bold enough to give this a light chill in the fridge for a perfect summer patio sipper.
