English Sparkling Wine has been beating Champagne in blind tastings on a regular basis for some time now, it’s the fizz to be seen with on the New York bar scene and if you haven’t got behind the English wine movement just yet, this week is the perfect time to give it a try, it’s English Wine Week.
And whilst it’s true that if we stopped drinking Champagne and switched to English Sparkling we’d run out in around 30 days, there should be plenty in stock to see you through this coming week. Here are a few of our favourites:
Our hot face right now, Ridgeview Bloomsbury from Waitrose at £28.99 per bottle and whilst it might be selling at a Champagne price point, it more than equals the French fizz on quality too. A lovely, crisp wine with aromas of citrus, peach and honey, and a tantalisingly refreshing finish and available to impress visitors at Buckingham Palace.
Next up it’s Chapel Down Bacchus, made from what has become the signature British grape, Bacchus. Heralding from Germany, Bacchus has found its spiritual home in the slightly cooler climate and chalky soils of Southern England transforming this also-ran wine grape from Germany into a bracingly fresh British alternative to Sauvignon Blanc. Chapel Down is also favoured for entertaining foreign visitors to No.10 Downing Street. At £14.99 this still represents excellent value for the quality on show. Also, try their Rose and non-vintage Chapel Down sparkling.
We finally got to try the Decanter World Wine Awards ‘Platinum Best in Show’ medal winner for best value white wine recently at the fantastic Craft Dining Rooms in Birmingham. The stunning Winbirri Vineyards Bacchus and it did not disappoint. This will remain on our hot list. Available from Waitrose Cellar for £15.99 this is highly recommended.
Finally, Ellercombe English Sparkling Wine from Sainsbury's. At £24.00 or £18 per bottle when you buy six, this is incredible value. We love a drop of Ellercombe in our house and heard that it is being made for Sainsbury’s by a very big name in English Sparkling Wine. One that usually sells their wares for at least an extra £10 per bottle so for £24 or less, this is the perfect Summer tipple to support English Wine Week.
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