While Champagne was once the tipple of choice, the luxurious beverage has seemingly been replaced by a new kid on the block – English sparkling wine.
Over the past 10 years, English wine has flourished with 12.2 million bottles produced in 2022 alone, according to Wine GB data.
To Champagne purists, English wine was once something to be sniffed at but the quality of the beverage has improved exponentially and now stands side-by-side with some of the best wine regions in the world.
With this in mind, Henry Jeffreys, an English wine expert and author of Vines in a Cold Climate, has shared which five English sparkling wines are worth buying this Christmas at every price point.
Under £25
Greyfriars Non-vintage Sparkling Cuvée
£22 from Greyfriars Vineyard
This tipple blends together three traditional Champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, from 2014, 2015 and 2016 vintages.
READ MORE: Best sparkling wines and Champagne to try this Christmas starting from £3.25
According to Henry, this English sparkling wine is the “best value”.
He exclusively told Express.co.uk: “From Surrey, this non-vintage blend is probably the best value in English Sparkling Wine.
“Lots of fresh delicious apple and lemon with some biscuity notes on the finish.”
Under £30
Roebuck Reserve 2020
£26.99 from Majestic when you buy six or more bottles
Roebuck Estates was founded 10 years ago by two friends who wanted to create premium sparkling wines from the best vineyards in the UK.
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Henry said: “This is for those who like their sparkling wine on the fruitier side. This Sussex sparkler majors on big ripe fruit like peach and orange.”
Under £40
Langham Blanc de Blancs NV
£39.95 from Langham Wine
This is one of Langham Wine Estate’s flagship wines and won gold at the Wine GB Awards in 2023.
Henry said: “Langham in Dorset is probably my favourite sparkling wine producer in England, if not the world. This is made from all Chardonnay and has a richness that you will struggle to find in any Champagne at this price.”
Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut
£36 from Camel Valley
Produced by the Lindo family of winemakers in Cornwall, this sparkling rosé is very dry with floral, strawberry aromas.
Henry said: “I tend to find Champagne Rosé a bit underwhelming.
“There’s no danger of that with this Cornish pink – it’s positively bursting with red fruit character.”
Under £50
Balfour Blanc de Noirs 2019
£45 from Balfour Winery
This tipple has flavours of red apple and tangerine and tastes perfect when paired with duck, meaty fish or a roast.
Henry explained: “You can really taste that this Kent fizz is made only from black grapes, there’s a real dark cherry flavour here along with savoury yeasty notes. This really impressed me when I tried it recently.”
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