I started tasting at the London Wine Fair the only decent way. With some English sparkling.
Classic cuvée 2007 A blend of 56% Chardonnay and the remainder an equal split of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it spends three years on its lees before release. This was a belter of a way to get back into English wine, a wee slip of a thing it has many years ahead of it but it is bright, zippy and as racy as you would expect. Green apple, fresh citrus notes and hints of honey and candied peel on the nose this is one I would drink half the case and hide the other half. Delicious!
Rose 2007 Officially new and indeed exciting. A blend of 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir I was slightly disappointed when I tried this that I wasn't sat in the glorious sunshine with my favourite people sipping bubbles and gossipping. A slightly savoury nose with ripe, plump red berry flavours it is enticing from the start. Like the Classic cuvée it is taut and racy with crisp redcurrants, ripe red cherries and crunchy red apples coming through on the palate. Fresh and lively this has many years left in it, if one happened to be getting married this summer it would be worth getting a case of this to have one on each anniversary to celebrate.
Blanc de Blancs 2003 I loved this. I am a relatively new convert to the joy that is Blanc de Blancs. I love my Pinot dominant sparklers but over the years some really smart Chardonnay heavy wines have turned my head and this is no exception. Fresh apples and yoghurt on the nose with subtle toasty notes starting to come through this wine shows real vibrancy for its nine years in age. A very stylish wine, soft and fresh with almonds, apple and stone fruit one to get your hands on while you can.
Ridgeview only make sparkling wine and lots of it. Being the dedicated nerd that I am, I tried the entire range and here are my Top 3.
Grosvenor Blanc de Blancs 2009 Told you I'm a sucker for a decent Blanc de Blancs. Much bolder and richer than the Nyetimber despite being several years younger it has a stone fruit and honeyed nose which follows through onto the palate with a slight nuttiness which is counter balanced by the fresh apple and lemon flavours. Complex and interesting, this really hit the spot.
Bloomsbury 2009 A blend of 58% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 12% Pinot meunièr this was ripe and almost juicy on the palate with stone fruits and apples mingling with brioche and a hint of dairy. Very, very drinkable.
Victoria 2009 A saignee Pinot Meunier dominant rose with the remainder made up of Pinot Noir, this was delicious, soft and savoury. On the nose red berries and fresh cherry blossom delicately balanced with some savoury, rich notes. I know it isn't terribly English but I really wanted some Iberico ham to match with the pomegranate , red berries and blossom. The Victoria still has a youthful edge to it making it a perfect choice with friends, sunshine, laughter and not very English ham!
Based down in Tenterden, Kent Chapel Down make both sparkling and still wines. Here are two they were showing on the Bibendum stand.
Primrose Hill NV This is a wine we unanimously decided, in our tasting group in Tasmania, that we would be happy to drink a comfortable amount of and on trying it again at the fair, my decision stands. It's a cheeky little number with a fresh and fruity black currant and hedgerow nose. The palate is sprightly with red and black currants, berries and spice lifted by some crisp acidity to produce a dry and very appealing white sparkling wine.
Rose NV Made from 100% Pinot Noir this is a delicate salmon pink with an equally delicate red cherry and rosehip nose. I thoroughly enjoy the variety of dry sparkling rose wines that are currently knocking around and this is no exception. Delicately complex with red fruits, citrus and a slight floral note all comfortably enlivened by a crisp, fresh acidity. A very elegant glass of fizz indeed.
Having a very quick chat and some cheery banter on Twitter with the folks from Hush Heath I was thrilled that their approach to wine is not too dissimilar to mine. Wine should be fun, especially good wine. They make good wine and it is most definitely fun.
Balfour Rose 2008 Rose that one has fun with doesn't need to be some glow in the dark, sticky, catastrophe. The Balfour Rose is a pale salmon in colour and tastes vibrant, fresh, fruity and crisp. Red cherries, raspberries, redcurrants and quince all sit happily with a touch of spice and I can guarantee that a glass of this will make you realise that stylish and fun are very happy bedfellows. Delicious!
