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THE TROUBLE WITH DREAMS 2022

THE TROUBLE WITH DREAMS 2022

When I planted my first vineyard at Storrington Priory in 2006, I had a single ambition: to create a truly world-class sparkling wine grown on South Downs chalk, inspired by the great grower Champagnes of the Côte des Blancs, but unmistakably English in character.

It may have taken us 20 years and 13 vintages, but dreams do come true.

The 2022 growing season was extraordinary. The UK experienced its warmest year on record, with temperatures exceeding 40°C for the first time in meteorological history. Yet, our old, deep-rooted vines – now averaging 17 years across our South Downs vineyards – were able to access sufficient water through the drought, producing fruit of remarkable balance and concentration.

The resulting base wines were forward and complex, with the structure to benefit from some younger French oak barriques in addition to older, larger demi-muids. Thanks to the ripeness of the vintage, we were able to avoid malolactic fermentation entirely and disgorge with a low dosage of just 6g/L.

The Trouble With Dreams 2022 is open, bright, textural, salty, and electric, and speaks entirely of its place, its vintage, and its winemaker – just as I dreamt all those years ago.
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION

  • GRAPES

    60% Chardonnay

    40% Pinot Noir

    Dosage: 6g/L, 12% ABV.

  • VINEYARDS

    Mount Harry Vineyard, East Sussex

    Storrington Priory Vineyard, West Sussex

    Coldharbour Vineyard, West Sussex

    Jenkyn Place, Hampshire

  • WINEMAKING

    40% fermented in 600L and 228L ex-Burgundy barrels of various ages; 60% in stainless steel, without malolactic fermentation.

    Bottled in July 2023, followed by 32 months on lees. First disgorged in March 2026.

FOOD PAIRING

In its youth, pair The Trouble With Dreams with super-fresh seafood – oysters, crab, prawns – eaten by the bucketful, ideally with the sun on your face and looking over the ocean.

As the wine gains complexity and richness with time in bottle, it can then handle bolder dishes. Fish and chips is always a winner, but go as posh as the mood takes you. Sun and sea views optional.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY

"The nose is superb and open-knit already, showing notes of salted pretzel dough, confit lemon and peppery white fruit. The palate is textural, rich but cut by fresh acidity. This is a structured, complex wine that unfurls with air to show a ripeness we rarely see in English wine without losing vibrancy or personality. The leesy, bready autolytic notes build with air, but it is the balance between these notes and the fruit that make this just so enjoyable. Another brilliant release of our favourite English sparkling wine." 94+ Points, Tom Parker MW, Farr Vintners

"Deep and complex aroma: rich lemon fruit and smells a little more peachy than their Blanc de Blancs and without that blossom note, and perhaps a hint of red cherry; creamy and leesy but not (yet) toasty. On the palate, those autolytic characters are more noticeable, rich, almost chewy, concentrated in both texture and flavour and yet intensely fresh and beautifully balanced. Persistent and fine bubbles. A powerful, long wine that fills the mouth and finishes with a long, lightly salty, mouth-watering aftertaste. Outstanding. VGV." 18 Points, Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com

"It tastes like a wine at twice the price - effortlessly classy and complex, it's like a story that keeps you spellbound from the first word. Decidedly English in its electric acidity and orchard fruit character and then with gorgeous notes of brioche, woodsmoke, digestive biscuit and a hint of salted caramel. It's like a portal into a world of regal luxury." Susie Barrie MW

"Well, this is undeniably delicious and fine. Pale lemon/straw with copious minuscule bubbles, aromas are captivating, spanning a hint of toast and Brazil nut, fresh ceps, and an airy, light but nutty russet apple. There is an ozone and mineral salts freshness too. In the mouth, the wine burst with ripe, exuberant and sweet fruit. It's not sugar, this bottled with just 6g/l dosage, but it is fruity to its core, without sacrificing elegance or vivacious punch. So much dazzling, saline acidity and that bready, nutty hint of richer depth beneath the rippling surface. Fabulous." 95 Points, Tom Canavan, wine-pages.com

"Fresh lemon and just a touch of reductive smokiness recall a crunchy Golden Delicious apple on the nose. The Chardonnay-driven palate speaks more of the cool, brisk, salty ocean than of the 2022 summer heat. The sunshine hours and temperature of that summer are, however, evident in the 2022's concentration, generosity and juiciness. Nevertheless, it remains balanced through the exquisitely long finish. This has really come together and will be even better with bottle age." 93 Points, Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous

"Dermot Sugrue is the cult winemaker of the UK. Everything he touches becomes beautiful and now his latest release is here, and it is scintillating. A real showstopper of a sparkling, this must be one of the greatest English wines around." Libby Brodie, CityAM