Great Sparkling from England

07 January 2020

Time has now long past the years when the words ‘English sparkling’ left wine enthusiasts cringing their faces going ‘Really?! English wine? From grapes?’. These days English sparkling is recognized as a high-quality product with nothing but potential for expansion in the future. And quite possibly some of you might have come across a forward-looking host this holiday who had swapped their usual NY Champagne for a Nyetimber or Chapel Down, so here is some basic information about this newish phenomenon.

Wine making in English soils became a small industry in the mid- to late-19th century, but the earliest written proof of wine making is from 731 where growing grapes is mentioned amongst other types of agriculture practiced in England. As with the rest of Northern Europe, the wine making traditions probably came with the Roman salute.

Modern wine making, however, set off with the founding of the Oxted Viticultural Research Station in 1945 which preceded to grow and test different kinds of grapes in the English climate. Needless to say, some of the experiments were very successful and the tradition of wine making was rekindled.

Today, wine making is widespread throughout England, but the most common regions to find vineyards are in the South and South East. With the increasingly warm summers since the turn of the century, wine making is becoming more interesting for the growers and drinkers alike.

The soils in Southern England resembles the soils in Champagne and many English producers also stick to the traditional Champagne grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. With climate change and increasingly better equipment, the winemakers are able to produce good quality wine almost every year.

The high potentials for making English Sparkling was cemented in 2015, when Taittinger became the first Champagne House to buy land in Kent and plant it with 30 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier – The results of which are ardently anticipated by wine enthusiasts all over in 2024.

We had the pleasure of tasting some of the wonderful English Sparkling and beneath you’ll find our scores.

 

 

Hattingley Valley lies in Hampshire in the village New Alresford. The winery was launched by Simon Robinson in 2008 and his winemaker Emma Rice has won numerous prices for their wines including UK Winemaker of the Year in 2014 and 2016.

Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvée 2013
90	Light yellow in colour. Aroma had lemon verbena, almonds, grapefruit, pale stonefruits, and brioche. Over the palate came grapefruit, white peach, honey, light brioche, nuts, subtle tropical yellow fruits, and oaky notes. Medium plus acidity, low tannins and dry.

Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs 2013
89	Light yellow in colour. Aroma had honey blossoms, brioche, almonds, yellow bruised apples, grapefruit and white peach. Over the palate came grapefruit, minerally notes, brioche and white blossoms. Medium plus acidity, low tannins and dry.

Hattingley Valley Rosé 2014
89	Light salmon in colour. Aroma had red cherries, light oaky notes, raspberries, wild strawberries, brioche and almonds. Over the palate came cherries, brioche, red pears, white peach, grapefruit and marzipan. Medium acidity, low tannins and dry.

Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve NV
86	Light yellow in colour. Aroma had almonds, tangerine, light hints of nuts, grapefruit and pears. Over the palate came grapefruit, lemons, white blossoms and almonds. Medium plus acidity, low tannins and dry.

 

 

The winery Gusbourne is found in the village Appledore in Ashford District of Kent. The first vines were planted in 2004 as Andrew Weeber initiated the wine adventure and today winemaker Charlie Holland wins international awards and prestige for Gusbourne’s wines.

Gusbourne Rosé 2015
88	Bright salmon in colour. Aroma had cherries, light barnyard, forest strawberries, subtle notes of hay, and almonds. Over the palate came peach, grapefruit, almonds, brioche, pomegranite, cranberries, and minerals. Medium acidity, low tannins and dry.

Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2014
90	Light golden in colour. Aroma had brioche, grapefruit, yellow apples, tangerine, minerals and almonds. Over the palate came grapefruit, brioche, razor sharp acidity, minerals, yellow bruised apples, and white peach. Medium plus acidity, low tannins and dry.

Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2014
89	Light yellow in colour. Aroma had skin of berries, apples, light bread, small cranberries, skin of green apples, and lemons. Over the palate came small red berries, brioche, grapefruit, bruised red apples, and candied lemons. Medium plus acidity, low tannins and dry.

 

Nyetimber in West Chiltington, Horsham District in West Sussex, has been run by Eric Heerema since 2006 with the vision of making sparkling wines. The married winemakers Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix are responsible for making the award-winning wines found in their cellars.

Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs Brut 2010
90	Bright golden in colour. Aroma had biscuit, grapefruit, brioche, creamyalmonds, and fresh citrusfruits. Over the palate came brioche, peach, almonds, creamy almond, mandarine, lime and small red berries. Medium acidity, low tannins and dry.

Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Brut NV
88	Light golden in colour. Aroma had brioche, grapefruit, hints of red berries, pears, white peach, and white flowers Over the palate came white flowers, grapefruit, fresh lemon and lime with hints of brioche. Medium plus acidity, low tannins and dry.

---