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Move over champagne, do one prosecco – there’s a new bubbly boy in town. English sparkling wine is seeing a massive resurgence at the moment, partly due to Br*xit but also with fans of the fizz finally discovering there’s some fantastic produce so close to home. With vineyards across Sussex, Kent and Hampshire, there’s more choice than ever at the moment, so we’ve taken the liberty of rounding up the best English sparkling wines on offer right now, just in time to make your Christmas more special than ever.

1. Rathfinny

The Run-Down: Sussex-based vineyard Rathfinny is known for producing top-notch sparkling wine. The 2018 Blanc de Noirs is the estate’s signature sparkling wine, and features a beautiful blend of predominantly Pinot Noir with a small quantity of Pinot Meunier. With tasting notes of almond blossom, baked blueberry and russet pear, this bubbly beauty pairs well with winter foods – think roast chicken, venison and a Christmas charcuterie board.

Price: £40.50

Where: Buy online 

2. Three Choirs

The Run-Down: Three Choirs is one of the oldest and largest English vineyards, located midway between the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean. Its Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling 2017 is everything you would expect from a sparkling wine: fresh, rich, rounded and full of complexity.  The hints of soft summer fruits on the palate are complemented by classic biscuit and brioche character. A proper stunner. 

Price: £26.99

Where: Buy online

3. Ridgeview 

The Run-Down: Ridgeview’s Bloomsbury NV is a fun, celebratory wine for the festive season. Named the No. 1 Star of English Wine in the Harpers Wine Star Awards 2021, it’s the perfect aperitif with smoked salmon canapes. Light golden in colour with hints of melon and honey and citrus fruit aromas, it’s the perfect bottle to pop on Christmas morning.

Price: £30

Where: Buy online 

4. Bolney Wine Estate

The Run-Down: Bolney Wine Estate, located in Sussex, has produced a wonderfully unique English red sparkling wine for Christmas. The Cuvée Noir boasts aromas reminiscent of red fruits, especially red cherry, redcurrants and sweet blueberries. On the palate, the sparkling red has a wonderful creamy richness and full-bodied mousse, packed full of ripe summer fruits, with a hint of sweet spice on the finish. Best served chilled.

Price: £30

Where: Buy online 

5. Hattingley Valley

The Run-Down: Hattingley’s Classic Reserve NV is arguably one of the vineyard’s most loved sparkling wines. A blend of Chardonnay (45%), Pinot Noir (35%), and Pinot Meunier (20%), this non-vintage shows off the skill of Emma’s (Hattingley’s head winemaker) winemaking. This is an all-rounder and great crowd-pleaser.

Price: £32

Where: Buy online

6. Chapel Down

The Run-Down: Based in Kent, in the heart of the Garden of England, Chapel Down sources high-quality fruit from long-term partner vineyards across Kent, Sussex and Essex, resulting in balanced wines with unique flavour profiles.  The Brut NV is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc. Expect aromas of red apple, lemongrass and freshly baked bread together with hints of strawberry and quince on the palate and fine persistent bubbles.

Price: £35

Where: Buy online

7. Tinwood

The Run-Down: Another vineyard based in Sussex? You know it. Located at the foot of the South Downs National Park, Tinwood produces exceptional sparkling wines, including a fruity rose number. A gorgeous salmon colour with an abundance of bubbles and English raspberry, Tinwood’s Rose 2019 is made from 60% Pinot noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. Summer may be for rosé, but who’s to say you can’t drink it at Christmas? 

Price: From £35

Where: Buy online

8. Everflyht Estate

The Run-Down: Everflyht Estate is a small single vineyard estate in Ditchling, East Sussex. New for 2022 is the Everflyht English Sparkling Brut NV; fresh and generous complexity in style, and bright, pale golden in colour. We’re talking about generous aromas of baked apple and red apple skin with bright lemon notes. Crack this open with your Christmas canapés and guests will be happy.

Price: £28

Where: Buy online 

9. Louis Pommery

The Run-Down: Louis Pommery England Brut is the first English Sparkling launched by a Champagne House. The winemaker, Clément Pierlot, has applied the same traditional method he uses in Champagne – but this time in Hampshire. A lovely and delicate pale straw yellow in colour, expect beautiful notes of blackcurrant and white fruit topped with a hint of honey.

Price: £30

Where: Buy online

10. Searcys x Greyfriars Vineyard

The Run-Down: Not only experts in champagne, Searcys have partnered with Greyfriars Vineyard with this crisp and vibrant English fizz, made from a blend of three grape varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The grapes are grown on the sunny south-facing chalk slopes of the Hog’s Back at Puttenham, at the 40-acre vineyard established in 1989, handpicked, and aged in cellars for over four years using the traditional method.

Price: £31 per bottle, £55 with flute set

Where: Buy online