British Bubbly – Four of The Best
Words: Gentleman's Journal
British bubbly is no longer a joke, in fact it’s big business, so much so that the brands are struggling to keep up with the demand. Supermarkets have reported a 30% increase in sales year on year, and a certain premier Champagne house are rumoured to be looking for an estate in Kent.
The chalk beds on the south coast and increasingly warmer weather, create a similar climate to that of the Champagne region. Vineyards have been cropping up in many areas of Sussex and now established are beginning to encourage experts across the world. In some cases English fizz is beating their french counterparts, winning awards on the world stage. The Journal picks its top four to drink this year
RIDGEVIEW, GROSVENOR 2009
The 2009 Grosvenor, some say this is one of the best English sparkling wines of them all. With an exceptional mousse, complexed flavours and a lingering taste, this definitely gives the French some strong competition. bbr.com
CHAPEL DOWN, VINTAGE RESERVE BRUT, 2008
Chapel down is one of the UK’s largest wine producers, however this does not mean that the quality has suffered, quite the opposite, and it has wine awards to show this, including winning Winemaker of the year three times.
Their Vintage Reserve Brut has been made using traditional methods to produce a beautifully crisp, yet fruity sparkling wine. chapeldown.com
NYETIMBER, BLANC DE BLANCS, 2007
Nyetimber Vineyard is located in the South Downs where the vines are south facing and the soil is either sandy or chalky, very similar to that of the Champagne region.
The 2007 Blanc De Blancs has a lovely pale straw-yellow colour too it, a rich nose of Bergamots Philadelphus, combined with granny smith apples and finished with citrus fruits. nyetimber.com
HUSH HEATH, BALFOUR BRUT ROSE, 2008
Balfour Brut Rosé is a limited edition, with only 11,300 bottles of the 2008 vintage produced, grown on the enchanting Hush Heath Estate in deepest Kent.
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