English Sparkling Wine
2019 GOLD: 5 SILVER: 7 BRONZE: 4 COMMENDED: 15
2018 GOLD: 5 SILVER: 11 BRONZE: 2 COMMENDED: 12
Rather like the UK parliament, English fizz rather ground to a halt this year – this was the smallest medal count since 2014. Unlike the UK parliament, however, there was still much to admire.
First, this year’s 16 medals and 15 Commendeds was only marginally fewer than last year and 2017. It’s not as if the results fell off a cliff.
Second, our tasters found consistency and, perhaps more importantly, a genuine defined English style, focused on lift, aromatics and a mouth-watering acidity. And while prices seem to have gone up between 10 and 20% over the past few years, most of these still sit nicely just below most non-vintage champagnes.
Several of the wines in our Gold and Silver categories appear there year after year, suggesting that some kind of hierarchy is starting to emerge. But special mention must go to Hattingley for a second consecutive Gold for its Classic Reserve, and to Three Choirs, who narrowly missed out this year, but whose Classic Cuvée remains one of the country’s best-value sparklers.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘These all showed good, consistent quality. They’re not far from non-vintage champagne, while retaining their identity as English sparkling. That English style has a lighter body, a bit more salinity, and mineral, chalky flavours, as well as a little more acidity.’ Alan Bednarski, Texture
‘These were really good. There was quite a lot of variation, and as we stepped up in price we saw more complexity. We also saw some good examples at the cheaper end of the scale, where they would be beating champagne in price.’ Joseph Lunn, Suave Wine
‘We were quite surprised to find much more value and quality at the lower end of this flight. At the higher end they were lacking autolysis and complexity, and unfortunately people will compare to champagne at that level.’ Sunaina Sethi, JKS Restaurants
‘You see quality here, as well as consistency from the low end right to the top, and you see the winemaking and maturity of the wines coming along. It’s a lovely story.’ Andre Luis Martins, Cavalry & Guards Club