Cheers! 10 best English wines
Forget France or the New World, there are notable bottles coming from the UK that are winning accolades and devoted fans......
1. Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2009
Nyetimber has established itself as England’s premier sparkling wine house, often trouncing the big champagne names in blind tastings. This one – made in Nye- timber’s best year yet – is creamy and rich, with notes of brioche and a refreshing citrus twist.
£23.98 each (if you buy two bottles), majestic.co.uk
2. Gusbourne Sparkling Rose
Toast the rise of English fizz with this sparkling rosé from the Gusbourne Estate in Kent. The vines were pinched from Champagne, but the wine has a delicate hue that on the nose gives gently spiced biscuits, shortcake, strawberries, cream and red apples.
£31, oddbins.com
3. Denbies Pinot Gris
This vineyard in Dorking beat Mediterranean rosé wines hands down at the International Wine Challenge. Its white wine is also something to savour; pale straw in colour, the palate is full- bodied with a layered creamy texture and a crisp, acid backbone.
£13.99, denbies.co.uk
4. Chapel Down Flint Dry
This dry, zesty and fruit-driven wine has citrus, greengage, apricot and floral aromas on the nose, while on the palate, you get melon, apricot and a flint character.
£9.99, chapeldown.com
5. Ridgeview Marksman
This straw-gold sparkling wine with very fine bubbles has warm citrus aromas with hints of honey and complex flavours of red apple, exotic spice and brioche, with a lovely lingering finish. Made exclusively for M&S, it makes a great aperitif.
£26.99, marksandspencer.com
6. Hattingley Valley Classic Cuvee
Hattingley Valley gives champagne makers a run for their money with its elegant and pale gold bubbly. The 2011 version comes from its first vintage, which saw a hot autumn, meaning the fruit ripened perfectly. It has aromas of red berries and brioche and a delicate toasty character.
£29.95, hattingleyvalley.co.uk
7. Balfour Brut Rose
This award-winner is a scrumptious example of a sparkling English rosé. Produced by the relatively new Hush Heath Estate winery in Kent, it’s creamy, yet light and has an excellent balance of fruit and acids.
£35.99, waitrose.com
8. Knightor Madeleine Angevine
This easy-drinking wine has been gently whole-bunch pressed and cool-fermented, before early bottling to retain freshness and the fruity character. It has delightful floral aromas with hints of gooseberry and elderflower and a fresh, invigorating palate with balanced acidity and a clean finish.
£12.99, knightor.com
9. Herbert Hall Brut Rose
This Kent-based producer only offer two wines – brut and brut rosé – but they’re making waves. The Wall Street Journal voted the brut as one of the 10 best sparkling wines of the world, but we think the rosé is just as good; lighter than champagne and with subtle summer fruits on the palate.
£32.50, fortnumandmason.com
10. Camel Valley White Pinot Noir
This elegant and light bubbly has received plenty of well-deserved accolades. You can drink it now or store it to allow the structure and more mature characteristics to evolve. The vineyard itself, set in the heart of Cornwall, is well worth a day trip if ever you get the chance.
£29.95, camelvalley.com
Source:-
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/...s-9100166.html
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