Spring is a wonderful time to stock up on our home-grown wines and England is producing some world class wines. Read on for the Luxuriate Life Guide to English Wine Week 2023 – from extra special bubbles to delicate rosés and even intense ruby reds, there is an English sip to suit every palate.
Celebrating English Wine Week 2023
Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest
The Vineyards of Hampshire iconic Fizz Fest 2023, which is now in its ninth year, is going to be held at Hambledon, which is the UK’s oldest commercial vineyard. Visitors to the festival on Sunday 23rd July (12pm – 4.30pm) have the opportunity to taste dozens of premium Hampshire sparkling and still wines from ten of the county’s leading vineyards. A true celebration of English Wine Week 2023.
From: Vineyards of Hampshire
Price: £35 per ticket
English Wine Week – white and sparkling
Nyetimber 1086 Prestige Cuvee
The first ever Prestige Cuvee made in England, 1086 represents the pinnacle of Nyetimber’s winemaking. Its 2010 vintage has a rich and generous fruit character alongside savoury and caramelised flavour (the result of almost a decade of ageing). A rather special English sparkling wine to rival champagne.
From: Nyetimber
Price: £150
Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV
A fun, celebratory wine to enjoy with friends and family, Chardonnay dominance brings finesse and crisp freshness, while Pinots add depth and character to this beautifully balanced English Sparkling wine. A perfect aperitif, this would suit a summertime garden party or when paired with oysters or tempura at a dinner party.
From: Ridgeview
Price: £28.99
Tesco Finest English Sparkling Wine
This refreshing sparkling wine is produced in the traditional method by the award-winning Balfour Winery for Hush Heath. They have hand harvested Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir grapes to make a dry, crisp wine with apple and citrus flavours balanced by delicate brioche notes. Perfect for celebrations; serve chilled as an aperitif or with canapés.
From: Tesco
Price: £16
Louis Pommery England Brut
Pommery’s winemaker, Clément Pierlot, has applied the same traditional method he uses in Champagne – but this time in Hampshire – to create a distinctive, fresh and elegant wine. It’s crisp and concentrated, with notes of waxy lemon, Granny Smith, freshly baked bread and honeycomb. These aromatic notes are heightened on the palate, offering a beautiful balance and a rich harmony.
From: Ocado
Price: £29.99
Hambledon Première Cuvée
Indulge in the artistry of England’s oldest commercial vineyard with this iconic cuvée, which is produced exclusively from Hambledon Vineyard’s estate in Hampshire in the South Downs of England. Aged at least 62 months on the lees and made with 73% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir and 3% Pinot Meunier, this is a sweeter release with a body with such flavours of delicate pastries.
From: Hambledon
Price: £55
Henners Foxearle English Sparkling Brut 2016
Only 5,000 bottles of this vintage fizz were made by the small three-person team, and it is a sparkling packed with flavours of toasted, buttered brioche, slices of fresh red apple and lemon nougat. From a small coastal vineyard in the village of Herstmonceux, East Sussex, ‘Foxearle’ was the name of the medieval county where the vineyards lie, and the label is proudly illustrated with a fox, many of which still pounce amongst Henners’ vines.
From: Virgin Wines
Price: £29.99
Danebury Cossack Sparkling Wine 2019
Made from a blend of the Auxerrois Blanc (a cross between Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir, which have the same ancestry as Chardonnay), and Rulander grapes (a German synonym for Pinot Gris), the name ‘Cossack’ is taken from the Danebury trained 1847 Epsom Derby winner. True to vintage, this traditional method of sparkling exudes warmth and ripeness of orchard fruit with aromas of apple, pear and white peach.
From: Danebury
Price: £32
Quob Park Classic Cuvée
Bright and enticing from the outset, this wine’s fine mousse brings added vibrancy to the crunchy acidity and pithy, chalky citrus fruit. Produced using a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, these English bubbles show hints of toasted nuts and brioche that add complexity to the nose and palate. Perfect served chilled as an apéritif.
From: Quob Park
Price: £30
The Uncommon
The UK’s first B Corp winemaker, The Uncommon make young, spritzy, aromatic wines – in cans to keep these delicious wines fresher for longer. Pick up a can for picnics and festivals – our favourite is the Rosé Bubbly, made from handpicked Pinot Noir. Light and bright, this rosé is one of strawberries and dreams.
From: Fortnum & Mason
Price: £18.95 for 4 tins
English Wine Week 2023 – Red
Ridgeview Blanc de Noirs 2015
This sparkling is only made in the best vintages and from a combination of Ridgeview’s finest Pinot grapes. A deep golden colour with rich, earthy red fruit aromas and an abundance of red berry flavours make this wine a fabulous partner for classic Sunday roasts, subtly smoked dishes or even crispy duck pancakes.
From: Ridgeview
Price: £50
Oastbrook Pinot Noir Reserve 2021
In a vibrant corner of the Sussex-Kent countryside, Oastbrook Estate is run and owned by winemakers America and Nick Brewer. Their Pinot Noir Reserve vintage is an intense dark ruby colour, a medium bodied with moderate tannins. The wine is silky and aromatic with a splash bouquet of summer red fruits. This wine pairs well with duck, beef bourguignon and roasted chicken as well as hard cheese.
From: Oastbrook
Price: £32
English Wine Week – Rosé
Hattingley Valley Sparkling Rosé 2019
Family-owned Hampshire winery, Hattingley Valley, specialises in premium English still and sparkling wine, perfect for sun-drenched celebrations as the warm weather picks up.
Hattingley Valley’s exciting range features a line-up of award-winning bottles, including the Sparkling Rosé 2019 a harmonious blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The wine has a delicate pale pink colour, with notes of bright red fruit and summer berry aromas. A joy to drink on its own or with canapés and light summery bites.
From: Hattingley Valley
Price: £40
Bolney Cuvée Rosé 2018
An elegant and delicate, single vintage, traditional method rosé sparkling wine. Salmon pink colour with lots of tiny bubbles, the floral and red apple aromas lead to red apple and cranberry on the palate with a bright, fresh finish and lovely length. Pairs perfectly with hors d’oeuvres and starters, fish and some red berry desserts.
From: Bolney Wine
Price: £40
Three Choirs Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling 2017
An orangy pink traditional sparkling wine made from 100% Pinot Noir. Aged on the lees for two and a half years, this wine has the complexity of the classic style. The hints of soft summer fruits on the palate are complemented by classic biscuit and brioche character typical of extended bottle maturation on the lees.
From: Three Choirs
Price: £26.99
Folc Dry English Rosé 2022
The word, ‘Folc,’ is the Old English word for ‘people’, ‘tribe’ and ‘family’ and this is a wine designed to bring people together. The 2022 vintage is a blend of nine different grape varieties and the bottle itself is made from 100% recycled glass. Folc’s wine is bright and vibrant, with real flavour, whilst remaining a dry rosé. Watermelon pink in colour, this blend sings English strawberries, ripe peach and raspberries.
From: Drink folc
Price: £19.99
Sharpham Pinot Rosé 2022
There’s never a bad time to drink rosé, and this one is packed with aromas of redcurrant, raspberry and strawberry as a result of the hot 2022 summer! The palate is dry and fruity with an abundance of red berry fruit flavours and a lifted acidity. Perfect for picnics, barbeques and long evenings with friends.
From Sandridge Barton
Price: £18
A glass for English Wine Week 2023
Riedel Glass
Riedel UK recently visited wineries in Hampshire, Kent and Sussex, conducting glass development workshops, ascertaining ideal glasses to showcase English Sparkling Wine. Each tasting utilised various Riedel glasses, with numerous wines from each region. All were tasted blind, with respective workshops conducted independently, so it was outstanding to see a unanimous victor, with the same glass winning at each session. This glass was based on the Riedel Veloce Riesling shape, which will be tweaked before being reintroduced. Until the launch of their English Wine Glass give the Riedel Veloce Riesling a go!
From: Riedel
Price: £62.50 for two
All imagery courtesy of the brands featured. Leading image courtesy of Guest Wines.