Robin Garr wrote:* English bubbly
There's an increasing amount of wineries coming on stream, and all the reports are the 2018 vintage will be both excellent and large so prices should be dropping somewhat, and (for various reasons) the cost of Champagne and other imports going up.
Nearly all English methode traditional (i.e. champagne method) makers are both too new and can't meet demand to keep blending stocks so wines are vintage and also mostly estate so their cost is proportionate and far exceeds supermarket Champagne sourced from co-operatives.
Four I have been particularly impressed with this year are
2013
Camel Valley Classic Cuvee Brut (Cornwall)
The three traditional champagne varieties superbly presented in a taut thrilling fizz. Camel Valley are one of the oldest fizz makers and I also love their 'Annies Vineyard' bottling which comes from their oldest vineyard and its been annually single-handedly hand pruned by Annie since the beginning. They don't mention the variety on the label but it's Seyval Blanc which makes a perfect sparkling wine.
Camel Valley have had a good 2018: their fizz was selected by BA for service in First Class.
N.V.
Hush Heath Estate Balfour 1503
One of the new kids, now making their own fizz (before Chapel Down did it for them) under several labels and all excellent, one of the most promising newbies. Balfour is the owner's family name, 1503 was when their manor house dates from.
N.V.
Chapel Down Classic Brut
One of the originals and a large producer of still and sparkling wines sourcing fruit from their own and other's vineyards. This bottling has a neck label identifying it as sponsor of the annual Cambridge/Oxford Thames Boat Race. I was challenged to identify this blind; I got it as methode traditional, guessed it couldn't be Champagne as usual otherwise I wouldn't have been asked, and settled on Cava made from Chardonnay....
N.V
Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury
One of the pioneers, a family firm making solely methode traditional fizz for over 20 years from only the traditional varieties. Now enough aged stocks to produce a house style N.V. Gorgeous fizz at a Champagne marque price. I've been drinking Ridgeview for almost two decades and it just gets better and better.
This year their Marksman labelled wine won the English Wine Trophy for Marks & Spencer at the International Wine & Spirit Competition and Ridgeview won
Winemaker of the Year, a first time ever in 49 years win for England.