2006 Harvest
2006 was the warmest year ever recorded in over 350 years of record keeping in the UK and as such, provided perfect conditions for winegrowers. After the good growing conditions in 2006, all three varieties set a very good crop of fruit and the relatively dry summer meant that disease levels were low. The crop was large, the largest ever at Hush Heath, which meant that despite the good growing conditions, ripening took a little longer than might be expected in a fine year and some cooler, wet weather in early October did cause some bunches to succumb to Botrytis.
The Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier were picked on October 16th and the Chardonnay on October 23rd and on both occasions, selective picking was required to harvest 100% clean, undamaged fruit. Nevertheless, very good yields were recorded, with the Pinot Noir yielding 8.5 tonnes/acre at 8.3% potential alcohol and 11.3 g/l total acidity, the Pinot Meunier coming in at 4 tonnes/acre at 9.1% potential alcohol and 14 g/l total acidity and the Chardonnay at 9.5% potential alcohol and 10 g/l total acidity. Overall 31,520 kg were harvested. This produces a final blend which is 58% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Meunier.
Fermentations were clean and the wines were all put through a malo-lactic fermentation to reduce acid levels. The generally high acidities mean that the 2006 Balfour Brut will require some extra bottle-age before it is ready for disgorging, and will be a long-lived wine.