England is experiencing an explosion in instances of homegrown sparkling wine beating French rivals at blind tastings. The UK remains the biggest market for champagne but consumers and the fizz-savvy have begun to look to Kent’s vineyards, where English sparkling wine is fast becoming a global name. As the south’s weather becomes increasingly warm, French houses are even beginning to back English soil for the future of fantastic bubbly – Tattinger has bought up chunks of Kent. But with so many options on the table, which are the best? (For non-fizz, have a look at our other English wine round-up.)
1. Jenkyn Place Cuvée 2010, 12%: £24.99, Waitrose Cellar
This phenomenal wine from Hampshire-based producer Jenkyn Place is seven years old and carries a citrus-y, almost chalky taste. It’s 60% chardonnay, 32% pinot noir, 8% pinot meunier and 100% worth a taste.
2. Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, 12%: £26, Waitrose
The first English house to produce sparkling wine, Nyetimber has been at the game for 25 years. And it shows. This is the first non-vintage, using up reserves of accumulated stock. This cuvee is a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier and is perfect for a garden party.
3. Chapel Down Kit’s Coty Coeur de Cuvée 2013, 12%: £100, Chapel Down
Limited to just 1,600 bottles, each fizz is numbered and packaged in a gift box. It might be expensive but the Coeur de Cuvée uses the finest juice extracted from the very first press cycle. Complex, nutty, and very fresh. You can only order a case of six online, but if you ring them up they can deliver fewer.
4. Camel Valley Cornwall Brut 2013, 12.5%: £25, Camel Valley
Cornwall-based Camel Valley’s flagship sparkling fizz is a nutty, biscuity creamy bottle that’s ideal for summery weather. Think strawberries in the park, kids playing, lounging around soaking up the rays. If it’s good enough for Rick Stein’s restaurant, it’s good enough for us.
5. Ridgeview Marksman Blanc de Blancs 2013: £45, Ridgeview
This 100% chardonnay from the Sussex producer is the colour of white gold, with delicate bubbles and is served at Buckingham Palace as well as 10 Downing Street. There are ambery honey qualities here as well as citrus fruits. Splash out and serve with oysters with friends and family. Delish.
6. Wiston Estate Cuvee Brut 2013, 12%: £32, Hennings Wine
Aged for more than three years in Puligny-Montrachet barrels, this 33% chardonnay, 45% pinot noir and 22% pinot meunier sparkler is one of the best around. There’s a remarkable balance here – fresh, but with character. Buy this one if you can’t splash out for the top-tier bottles from the West Sussex estate, and you won’t be disappointed.
7. Stopham Estate Brut Prestige 2010, 12%: £25, Stopham Vineyard
Another bottle hailing from West Sussex, this 2010 issue is made of 100% chardonnay grapes, and won a silver medal in the International Wine Challenge 2016. It’s bright, with apple and berry notes – perfect with a fruit salad on a bright day.
8. Gusbourne Brut Rosé 2013, 12%: £38, Berry Bros & Rudd
Sometimes all you want on a sunny clear day is a glass of sparkling rosé, and Kent’s Gusbourne is one of the go-to producers of English fizz. The 2013 is made from 100% pinot noir and has a berry-citrus bouquet.
9. Exton Park Pinot Meunier Rosé: £40, Exton Park
This is a fabulous alternative to the Gusbourne, this time hailing from Hampshire. Made from 100% pinot meunier, you’ll find strawberries, peach and peppery notes in this rosé. Fresh, like spring.
10. Hambledon Classic Cuvée Brut: £29, Marks & Spencer
Hambledon’s vines were planted on the Hampshire site way back in the 1950s. And you can tell. This classic cuvée is more reminiscent of the English style of sparkling wine, yet beats a lot of its French cousins in blind tastings. Think elderflower and apple.
The Verdict: English sparkling wines
For a summer barbecue, nothing quite hits the spot like the rich chardonnay-heavy Jenkyn Place Cuvée 2010, though for a special occasion, we would suggest splashing out on the Exton’s 100 per cent pinot meunier wine – it’s summer in a glass.
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