Knightor “Skin-Fermented” Sauvignon Blanc / Muscat, 2023, Cornwall, England

About the wine

Small parcels of very ripe and rare (in England) Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat grapes were fermented on skins in the same way as you would a red wine for 7 days before being pressed. Only 500 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

It bursts with grapefruit, grassy, and tropical fruit aromas and delivers a dry, crisp palate with soft tannins and a long, citrusy finish—bold, distinctive, and deeply flavorful.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This aromatic, textural orange wine works beautifully with dishes that can stand up to its vibrant acidity and subtle tannins:

Middle Eastern & North African flavours – spiced lamb kofta, chicken tagine, or harissa-roasted vegetables

Cheeses – aged gouda, comté, or washed-rind cheeses like taleggio

Seafood – grilled octopus, seared tuna, or mussels in saffron broth

Asian-inspired dishes – Thai green curry, Vietnamese summer rolls, or Korean fried chicken

Vegetarian options – roasted squash with tahini, lentil and beet salad, or mushroom risotto

About the Winemaker

Knightor Winery is a small, pioneering producer in Cornwall, England, known for crafting limited-production still and sparkling wines that capture the essence of the cool Cornish climate. Founded by winemaker James Thomas, Knightor combines estate-grown fruit with grapes from carefully selected English vineyards.

Their style focuses on freshness, lower alcohol levels, and purity of flavour, often experimenting with skin contact, wild fermentations, and unusual blends—like this rare Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat combination. Sustainability and minimal intervention are central to their ethos, and all their wines are vegan-friendly. With production volumes often tiny (in this case, just 500 bottles), Knightor’s wines are sought-after for their originality and sense of place.