Sparkling Rosé: UK
2019 GOLD: 3 SILVER: 5 BRONZE: 3 COMMENDED: 5
2018 GOLD: 2 SILVER: 4 BRONZE: 2 COMMENDED: 4
Eleven medals, three of them Gold, made this a really good year for UK pink fizz. But as much as the numbers, the success here was in the feedback from the tasters. They genuinely liked these, seeing an elegance and delicacy to them that matched the colour beautifully.
Not only that, but the prices are pretty good as well. While the home-grown white fizz is approaching the same price as NV champagne, these remained noticeably cheaper than their pink cousins from across the Channel, with nothing over £30 and most around the £20 mark.
Congrats to Harrow & Hope, which picked up its second Rosé Gold in two years.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘We found some really good value between £16 and £25 a bottle. It’s what customers are looking for.’Carlos Ferreira, team leader
‘Rosé in general is more seasonal, and English sparkling towards the summer.’ Matteo Cali, Savoy Grill
‘People are demanding more English sparkling wine, and we’re getting more that offer quality, value and an interesting alternative to Champagne labels.’ Diana Rollan, D&D
‘I was expecting something more expressive in terms of fruit, but a few of them I really liked: good acidity, good complexity.’ Virginia Fontò, La Trompette
‘Overall there is a tendency to more residual sugar rather than less, but they were still in balance.’ Charlie Young, team leader
‘People are pleasantly surprised at how good English wine is. A couple of these I’d be hard pressed to distinguish from champagne in a blind tasting.’ Charlie Carter, Ten Green Bottles