These are the English sparkling wines you should be drinking, according to the experts at IWC

Let’s face it, English wine isn’t the cheapest (and rightly so). But if you’re new to English wine and want to make sure you’re getting the best for your money, top scorers at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) are a good place to start.

The IWC is the world’s most influential, impartial and rigorously judged wine competition, which assesses wines from across the globe blind for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage.

This year saw 136 UK wines awarded medals, ranking Great Britain in eighth place. The South East dominated with Kent leading the way at 30 medal-wins.

However, medals were also awarded outside The Southern Quarter to wines made in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Derbyshire, Wales and Shropshire, which picked up this year’s only Gold medal for a still wine – Hencote’s Mark I 2018.

“Over the past few decades, it’s been incredible to witness the progress Great Britain has been making on the world stage for its wine, especially the sparkling wines from southern England,” comments Oz Clarke, one of IWC’s six co-chairs. “What’s really exciting to see now however, is the quality of wines we are tasting from other regions in the UK and the diverse styles being produced there.”

Here are the world’s top English Sparkling Wines:

Kent

Squerryes, near Westerham, picked up the trophy for the top English Sparkling Wine overall for its Blanc de Blancs 2014, which also won the trophy for best English Blanc de Blancs. Squerryes Brut 2011 was also named the best English Sparkling Classic Blend. The awards place the brand in the top 5 Champagne and Sparkling wine houses in the world.

Hampshire

Three Gold medals went to wines made in Hampshire; Hattingley Valley’s Blanc de Blancs 2014, Raimes English Sparkling Wine Classic 2015 and The Grange’s Hampshire Pink NV, which also picked up the trophy for best English Non-Vintage Sparkling Rosé.

Surrey

Greyfriars Vineyard Sparkling Rose Reserve 2015 and High Clandon Estate’s Euphoria Cuvée 2016 (which goes on public sale from June) were also recipients of Gold medals.

Sussex

Roebuck Estates in Petworth picked up a gold and the English Vintage Sparkling Rosé Trophy for its Rosé de Noirs 2016, while Artelium’s debut sparkling rose, the Makers Rose 2015, won gold.

Cornwall

Cornwall’s Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2018 was described by the Subtle chewy apple with a lemon thyme note. Fresh delicate and balanced. Very classy.