It's a hell of a year for British bubbly. Waitrose has reported a year-on-year sales increase of 30% compared to the same week last year for English sparkling wine. Meanwhile, Bob Lindo from Camel Valley in Cornwall said he is “struggling to keep up with demand”. Here's 5 of the very best and when to drink them this festive period, courtesy of Berry Bros & Rudd.
Salmon starter?
2007 Nyetimber, Classic Cuvée, Sussex, England, £29.95
(Left) A blend from the three classic Champagne grapes, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Attractive red fruit aromas, courtesy of the Pinots cede to a rounded palate where notes of brioche and yellow fruit sit harmoniously with white flowers and grilled almonds. A more than worthy match for all but the very best Champagnes.
Pair this with oysters
2007 Gusbourne Estate, Blanc de Blancs, Kent, England, £25.95
(Centre left) Impressively sleek on the palate, with satisfyingly bright fruit and a touch of toastiness. This wine is moderate in length but the acidity wraps things up nicely – but not too obviously. The finish is long and persistent, making this a top notch example of English sparkling wine
Kick-start Christmas
2010 Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut, Cornwall, England, £31.95
(Centre) This superb Rosé came top in a selection of 90 of England’s best tasted in 2012. Beyond the delicate salmon-peach colour, one detects Pinot’s hall-mark biscuity power. Plenty of red fruit personality ensures balance and pleasure in equal measure.
See in the New Year
2009 Grosvenor Blanc de Blancs, Ridgeview Estate, Sussex, England, £26.95
(Centre right) The 2009 Grosvenor is fresh as well as round, lively as well as profound; the ideal sparkling wine in other words. The palate is complex with notes of honey, acacia and orchard fruit vying for attention, then a long and nicely tapered finish. It is now a self-evident truth that the best English wines are better than the majority of Champagnes, and this one is probably the best English sparkling wine of all.
Pre-dinner
2009 Knightsbridge, Ridgeview Estate, Sussex, England, £26.95
(Right) A deep golden colour presages savoury aromatics and a beautifully refined palate. A rich and extremely satisfying sparkler with patisserie-notes and orchard fruit all harmoniously entwined.
