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By Marc Millon
Some would have you believe that there is a mysterious art to finding the perfect food and wine pairing; others would say, ‘Just drink what you like, it doesn’t matter at all’. We believe that there is an element of truth to both approaches.
At Lympstone Manor, Michael Caines’ Michelin-star cuisine is acclaimed for its subtle complexity as well as intensity of flavours, the way that Michael has the rare ability to bring many elements together on a plate that are all in utter balance and harmony to result in taste sensations that are greater than any single part of a dish on its own. Such complex and at the same time subtle flavours require equally thoughtful wine pairings to bring out the best of both food as well as wine.
Lympstone Manor’s expert wine team, led by Head Sommelier Kristyna Janickova, go to great lengths to taste and consider what they consider to be the perfect match for all our dishes. Such considerations go far beyond simply following any conventional ‘rules’ about food and wine pairing, and take into consideration such aspects as salinity, acidity, sweetness, creaminess, spice, weight and texture as well as the flavours of the main ingredients themselves allied with the taste profiles of the wines. Finding the correct balance between these elements can indeed be considered something of a mysterious art, but the many who have had the opportunity to experience Michael’s tasting menus accompanied by flights of paired wines carefully chosen by our wine team will know that when a food and wine pairing is truly perfect it can create a rare and exceptional dining epiphany.
When Michael decided to plant the Lympstone Manor Estate vineyard, he chose the classic cultivars Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay because these grape varieties have been proven in the classic wine regions of the world to have the potential to produce great wines in all styles – classic-method sparkling, white, rosé and red – wines that above all can be enjoyed with great cuisine.
Lympstone Manor Estate Classic Cuvée, our estate premium sparkling wine, works well as an apéritif with canapés yet it is also rich and full enough in the mouth to pair well with appetizers, first and fish courses.
Lympstone Manor Estate Isabeau Rosé, with its delicate strawberry fruit and dry, flinty finish, reminds of a sea breeze in the South of France – or in Exmouth! It is such a versatile wine, especially enjoyed with various preparations of fish and shellfish landed in Lyme Bay.
Lympstone Manor Estate Edwards Chardonnay, fermented in new and used oak barrique, has a buttery richness and fullness that is undoubtedly Burgundian in character, and which can pair beautifully with more creamy and full-flavoured dishes or with earthy autumnal flavours such as wild mushrooms and game birds.
And finally, Lympstone Manor Estate Triassic Pinot Noir, a full, red wine that we didn’t expect to be able to produce when we first planted the vineyard, has already proved in the Restaurant to be a beautiful partner to local Red Ruby beef from Darts Farm and can even stand up to fuller flavours of venison and other game.
Food and wine pairing at Lympstone Manor is an art that is taken very seriously. Our Sommelier team curate a fantastic wine list and are here to inspire our guests when selecting wines. They’ll discover what you like best as well as suggest pairings that they think will most enhance your dining experience.
You can browse the Lympstone Manor wine list, explore our Menu options and visit our online wine shop here.
