If there’s ever a time to crack open the fizz, it’s Christmas. Here are our favourites...
Wiston Estate Cuvée 2015, £35.50
Having won gold at this year’s WineGB Awards, this refreshing English sparkling wine from Wiston Estate vineyard in Sussex is sure to impress this Christmas. Described by wine writer Matthew Jukes as a ‘pivotal’ release for the estate, this opulent English wine has impressive depth and ageing potential. But why wait? Crack this one open with the canapés or, if you can’t wait until then, with smoke salmon at breakfast!
Oxney Organic Spparkling Pinot Meunier, £37
As a variety, Meunier is rarely celebrated in its own right, usually playing second or third fiddle to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the traditional champagne blend. Recently however, we’ve started to see more English vineyards producing single variety wines with the grape and this is the latest sparkling version from Oxney Estate vineyard, near Rye in Sussex. Fermented in oak and with a little lees stirring, this is a toasty number with a hint of spice and notes of Christmas cake and Bakewell tart on the palate – could there be a more perfect festive fizz?!
Gusbourne anniversary Christmas releases, £150 per pair
To mark their 10th anniversary and as special Christmas time release, Gusbourne vineyard in Kent has released two sparklers from the 2010 vintage. Both Chardonnay-dominant blends, the Brut Reserve 2010 and Brut Reserve 2010 Late Disgorged provide the perfect pair to compare and contrast over Christmas dinner. The latter spent an exceptional seven and a half years on its lees while both have been in bottle for over nine years and have benefitted from extended ageing on cork.
