Step Into the Next Chapter with Solaris

It’s only natural to get attached to certain styles of wine once you’ve found a few grapes you like and feel comfortable with. Whether you’re a Sauvignon Blanc lover or a Chardonnay fan, we can all be guilty of becoming creatures of habit when it comes to our food and drink preferences, especially regarding white wine varieties. 

And with the rise of still English wine, there’s plenty to discover when it comes to the growth of white wine in the UK. Indeed, Chardonnay is the top planted grape in the UK, owing largely to the fact it’s used in English Sparkling wine production, and it accounts for roughly 31% of the grapes planted in the UK. Bacchus is amongst the top grape varieties planted in the UK too, which thrives in the UK’s cooler climate and there are lots of white English wines available now using both of these grapes. 

But here at Radlow Hundred, we like to do things a little differently. This started with our ethos to focus on the production of only still, small-batch wines, and step away from the temptation to create English Sparkling wine, led by a curiosity about what we could achieve with still wines. We believe this to be an exciting new chapter of English wine, and continue to be astounded by the incredible wines that are being created by English vineyards. 

On the theme of difference, we also decided to plant a more unusual white grape, the Solaris grape. We found this paired best with our soil in Herefordshire and we’ve never looked back. As a grape, it’s thought to occupy around 3% of the total vineyard area in the UK, and we firmly believe it’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by more growers. 

Well-suited to the climate, Solaris grapes have the ability to ripen early, which helps them to withstand the sometimes unpredictable weather conditions in England, along with coping with shorter growing seasons when they happen. Bred in Germany, this grape has been cultivated to cope with cooler climates and lower sunlight hours, again, a perfect fit for the UK. 

From our vineyard, this grape produces a crisp and exceptionally fruity English white wine. With a honeydew melon nose, enlivened by a natural citrus and hints of honey and lemon on the palate, this is a delicate dry white wine that’s beautiful when paired with an elegant goat’s cheese tart. 

If we can tempt you away from your Sauvignon Blanc to enjoy our Solaris, we’d love to hear your thoughts - feel free to get in touch with the team directly or tag us @radlowhundred on social channels.