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Forbes
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Explore Champagne, France: Top Attractions, Vineyards And Travel Tips
Champagne region in France at sunrise. getty "I only drink Champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not." Coco Chanel If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting the Champagne region in north east France and its beautiful villages, vineyards and Champagne houses, this is the year to do so. July 4, 2025 marks the 10-year anniversary since Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars became a UNESCO World Heritage site. And there will be major festivities on the day including a big party in Champillon, in the heart of the historic hillsides, that will include a picnic, music, dance and birthday cake. Festivities will continue throughout the month to celebrate the world's most prestigious sparkling wine. On July 14, 2025 on the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay there'll be a picnic, toast and party with fireworks. July 19th will feature a picnic concert of the Flâneries Musicales at the Parc de Champagne, in Reims. Champagne vineyards Comite Champagne is unique to the Champagne region and is a protected appellation (AOC); recognised in more than 130 countries worldwide (although not, surprisingly in the United States). It is so highly prized that a special committee controls every aspect of the sparkling drink from how many grapes are grown in the region and when they'll be harvested, to the number of bottles that are to be sold each year. Since 1941, the CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne) has promoted the common interests of Champagne houses and growers and ensured the wine has retained its prized status globally. The Comité records all transactions, track the movement, manage the reserve and protect the appellation against counterfeit products. Champagne grand cru sparkling wine production in bottles in rows in dark underground cellars, Reims, Champagne, France getty But Champagne is not just simply prized and enjoyed thanks to the efforts of the Comité but because of the unique qualities of the actual product itself, created every year by over 16,000 winegrowers from grapes harvested by hand by 120,000 pickers. The cool climate and unique terroir (chalk soil) where the three main grape varieties are grown (Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Meunier) contribute to the wine's unique flavors. Champagne has long been associated with special occasions, joyful moments, success and positivity. As Charles Dickens said: 'Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.' View of the Avenue de Champagne, Épernay, France getty The wine of Kings and the King of wines The Champagne vineyards date back to Roman times when they were planted in the 5th century (or possibly even earlier). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was the prized drink of coronation banquets and it was customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This has included British royals since the 17th century when King Charles II first enjoyed the sparkling wine while Queen Victoria was the first British monarch to issue royal warrants to Champagne producers. So Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronations and referred to as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines.' Champagne's revered reputation was so firmly established by the twentieth century that even Winston Churchill famously said to motivate his troops, "Remember gentlemen, it's not just France we are fighting for, it's Champagne." Today, the UK is Champagne's second biggest export market (after the United States) in volume and in value. And although the wine became the drink of Royalty, in Champagne today, you'll find it in most households throughout the region. In fact, Champagne makers will tell you that in the region, Champagne is 'vin de pays' — nothing pretentious, easy drinking and not just for special occasions. Reims,France - Storage of bottles of champagne getty Champagne houses, Cooperatives and Growers to Visit There are 16,200 winegrowers in Champagne, 130 Cooperatives and 370 Champagne houses that produced 271.4 million bottles of Champagne in 2024. Many are open to visit. The Avenue de Champagne in Epernay is a great place to start. Many of the well known Champagne Houses including Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët and Pol Roger are located here and offer tastings and tours and of course, the option to buy bottles. Also, there's an excellent shop, Trésors de Champagne, that offers a wide selection of Champagnes, starting as low as 18 euros a bottle, some of which you can try by the glass. After experiencing Champagne Avenue, venture out to some of the houses and growers including these five that will give you a good range of Champagne styles from large and medium houses to small, independent growers. Champagne Pommery was founded in Reims in 1836 by Monsieurs Alexandre Louis Pommery and Narcisse Greno. Initially, the company focused on wool production before moving into Champagne. But it was the genius of Madame Louise Pommery who not only created the first vintage "brut" Champagne in 1874 but greatly expanded the business with production increasing from 300,000 bottles to 3 million. Today, the house sells around six million bottles annually and stores 25 million in reserve in its cellars. It has an impressive visitor offering with extensive tours in 18 kilometers of Roman cellars, various tasting packages and a lovely Art Nouveau villa to visit. And since 2003, Pommery has had ambitious annual art exhibitions in the cellars. Champagne Besseraat de Bellefon, founded in 1843 in Epernay, is a medium size house, producing 700,000 bottles a year. They use the Meunier grape, the only indigenous grape to Champagne and using a unique process and less sugar results in a unique taste and bubbles that are 30 percent finer than other Champagnes. The house has a shop and you can stay on site in one of three lovely suites. Champagne Vincent d'Astrée, launched in 1956 in Pierry, is a cooperative of five families buying from 170 growers. It has a lovely tasting room and offers a cellar tour where you can see the world's largest Champagne flute (160 bottles are required to fill it). It's a boutique operation headed by a female winemaker and produces 50,000 bottles a year consisting of 4 vintage and 4 non-vintage. Champagne Jacquart in Reims opened in 1964 and today has a stellar signature collection (all aged at least 3 years) ranging in price from 38 to 130 euros. You can buy these from their shop and try the wines by the glass on their charming terrace, including the priciest Alpha 2014, just released this summer. Christian Muller is a small grower in Mailly Champagne that produces 20 -25,000 bottles a year of 4 different Champagnes, all excellent. Their stunning new terrace above their shop overlooks their own vineyards and is an idyllic spot for a tasting. Where to Stay and Eat in Champagne Notre-Dame de Reims, Listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO getty A good base for a visit to the region is Hotel Margaux, a new 4-star property in Epernay with 27 elegant rooms and suites. Unsurprisingly, visitors are spoiled for choice of excellent restaurants. Table Kobus in Epernay is a fantastic bistro with four prix fixe options with French classics like Foie Gras and duck magret. For an upscale dining experience, La Brasserie Le Jardin is in the beautiful grounds of Le Domaine les Crayeres in Reims. Chef Christophe Moret offers a seasonal, local menu a la carte or prix fixe. And while in Reims, be sure to visit the magnificent Cathédrale de Reims. Rotisserie Henri IV in Ay offers a casual outdoor dining experience with daily specials like roast chicken and various salads. Top tips for the perfect Champagne serve Tasting of brut and demi-sec white champagne sparkling wine from special flute glasses getty The recommended serving temperature is between 8 and 10°C. To chill a bottle of Champagne, place in an ice bucket filled half with water and half with ice, 30 minutes before serving. Or chill at the bottom of the fridge a few hours before opening. When opening a bottle of Champagne, start by removing the wire cage and its foil cap. Keep a firm grip on the cork and be sure not to point the bottle at anyone. Next, still keeping a firm hold on the cork, hold the bottle by the body and rotate it gently, removing the cork from the neck without letting it escape. When serving, do not hold the person's glass when pouring. As glamorous as it looks, the coupe is not the best glass for Champagne. Choose a fairly tall and tulip-shaped – bulbous at the bottom glass to give the bubbles enough room to develop but which tapers at the top to fully concentrate the aromas.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Elegance By Design: How The Taittinger Family Craft Champagne
The chalk cellars under the town of Reims in Champagne, owned by Champagne Taittinger Jennifer Glick In Champagne, virtually every house claims to maintain the delicate balance between tradition and evolution. It's a well peddled cliché, but, ultimately that's the game - showcase your past without looking old, stuffy and out of touch. Spread you fizz around the world and pop up in all the right places. Champagne Taittinger too have it all figured out. Internationally aspirational with a presence in all the major markets, the house is revered for both its great value cuvées, and its prestigious Blanc de Blancs 'Comtes de Champagne' - one of the world's best sparkling wines. Family owned and protective of its traditions, the company thrives off nearly 300 years of winemaking history. There is far more to it than that of course. Underpinning the brand is a meticulous attention to detail, exemplified best through the art of blending. Taittinger's flagship Brut wine, 'La Française', is a carefully composed non-vintage blend (or should we say multi vintage?) drawn from three different grapes cultivated across more than 35 Cru vineyard sites. By contrast, 'Comtes de Champagne' is made exclusively from Chardonnay, but blended from the company's best sites. Together, they exemplify the precision and poise for which the house is known, a poise that can only be achieved through bending (vintages, grapes, vineyards), or what they call in Reims and Epernay, a ssemblage . Here, blending is not all pragmatic technique, it is the orchestration of site, variety, and time into a single coherent voice. At Taittinger that voice is guided by Chardonnay, the grape Vitalie Taittinger describes as 'the soul of our style - elegant, precise, and full of finesse.' Yet the region's other grapes play essential roles: Pinot Noir brings backbone and red-fruit complexity, while Pinot Meunier rounds out the blend with supple texture and aromatic lift. As Clovis Taittinger notes, 'We have always favored a Chardonnay-dominant style. It's a deliberate choice that reflects our view of what makes a Champagne elegant and age-worthy.' Each grape is selected for what it can contribute to the final balance, but the profile is always guided by the inherent belief in the superiority of Chardonnay. Vitalie Taittinger amongst the vines. David Picchiottino Vitalie and her brother Clovis Taittinger are the latest generation to lead the company. Established in 1734 as Champagne Forest-Fourneaux, the house was bought in 1932 by Pierre Taittinger, marking the beginning of the family's global reputation for elegant Champagnes. In 2005, the Taittinger Group, which at the time also included luxury hotels and other businesses, was sold to the U.S. investment firm Starwood Capital. Led by Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, the family initiated a project to reclaim control of the wine business. Within a year they succeeded and backed by the French bank Crédit Agricole, the family repurchased the Champagne house and its historic cellars, restoring Taittinger to family hands. Today the estate's holdings and grower relationships span the Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, and Montagne de Reims - each producing fruit with different characteristics. Villages like Chouilly bring ripe orchard fruit; Avize delivers mineral tension; Mesnil-sur-Oger contributes steely acidity and length. These are not generally interchangeable pieces, but essential components of a wider picture. With 288 hectares under vine, Taittinger is one of the largest domaine holders in Champagne. Yet, size alone means little without the technical understanding of how each site fits precisely into the puzzle. For the Brut La Française, fruit from more than 35 villages is selected to construct a wine of impressive consistency. More than six million bottles a year of this are released and consumers expect one bottle to taste the same as the next. How is that possible? Typically composed of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 25% Meunier, the aim of this blend is balance: delicacy without brittleness, complexity without excess. As Alexandre Ponnavoy, Taittinger's Chef de Cave, notes, 'We taste hundreds of vins clairs each year to make sure each element, no matter how small, fits the whole.' Alexander Ponnovoy showcasing the 2014 vintage of Comtes de Champagne. Non Runner Media At the other end of the spectrum lies Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, made exclusively from Chardonnay grown in five Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. Here, the message of place is unfiltered. 'Each site gives a different energy' Ponnavoy says. 'Cramant is creamy and floral; Mesnil is sharp and saline; Chouilly adds generosity. We select only the fine first-press juice. Nothing else makes it into Comtes.' Taittinger's approach to the three classic Champagne grapes is architectural in nature. Chardonnay accounts for 37% of the estate's plantings and drives the house style across the range. Pinot Noir, mostly grown in the Montagne de Reims, contributes structure and spice. Meunier, sourced largely from the Vallée de la Marne, softens and expands the palate. Yet even in blends like Les Folies de la Marquetterie - produced from a single vineyard with a majority of Pinot Noir - the wine is constructed to ensure that Chardonnay's character subtly dominates. As Clovis Taittinger puts it, 'Each grape is selected for what it contributes to the final shape. Chardonnay gives lift and clarity. It's the line that defines our wines.' Red grapes harvested for Champagne Taittinger ANNEEMMANUELLE THION Champagne lovers will know, time is not just a measure of age, it's a key aspect of a wine's personality, and in the increasingly unpredictable climate of northern France, reserve wines are critical to achieving consistency in non-vintage blends like 'La Française'. With vintage variation inevitable, these older wines are used not to mask inconsistency, but to temper extremes. '2012 was warm and opulent,' recalls Vitalie Taittinger, 'so we balanced it with fresher reserves. 2013 was taut and we softened it with older material. The 2014, as you can see in the 'Comtes', was naturally poised and required no correction - just time to shine.' This delicate composition of vintages in the cellar is part of what makes a Champagne blend so complex and compelling. Inevitably, the conditions of the year will dictate what work needs to done. Vitalie emphasises her role is 'to guide the team in tasting and blending with rigor, ensuring nature's variations never overshadow the Taittinger signature. Consistency is our promise, delivered with patience and care.' With 'Comtes de Champagne' the blending approach is altogether different. Here, there are no reserves, and no commercial need to keep things prescribed. When the vintage is good enough, it will stand alone. 'We produce 'Comtes' only in exceptional years,' says Ponnavoy. 'It's not about crafting a house style, it's about capturing the essence of a single harvest.' Chardonnay is the Champagne Taittinger's key variety. Anne Emmanuelle Thion Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is undoubtedly a purist's wine: 100% vintage specific, 100% Chardonnay, 100% first-press juice, 100% Grand Cru. Just 5% of the wine is matured for four months in new oak, a detail that adds gentle breadth without overpowering. Then comes the long quiet - over a decade in the family's Gallo-Roman chalk quarries located beneath the former Abbey of Saint-Nicaise in Reims. The eventual wine currently costs around $400 a bottle. The 2014 vintage, recently released, is a vivid expression of Taittinger's work. 'Comtes is a love letter to Chardonnay and time,' says Chef de Cave Alexandre Ponnavoy. 'It's a cuvée that doesn't impose, but reveals.' A warm summer and naturally balanced acidity made 2014 an exceptional year for Chardonnay, and Ponnavoy's meticulous selection process across the region ensures that only the best fruit from the five Grand Cru parcels contribute to the final wine. 'Each village gives its own character, but together they form something unmistakably Taittinger: pure, precise, and timeless' he says. They are clearly proud of their work, but to call Taittinger's approach to blending simply 'assembly' misses the point. Figuring out how to order the building blocks of Champagne is about listening - to the cues of the vintage, the voice of each vineyard, the evolution of the base wines in the cellar, and to a legacy that has evolved since 1734. 'Taittinger must reinvent itself and improve always,' says Vitalie. 'But above all, we must transmit heritage and respect for the past. We are guardians of this beautiful wine.' That balance between innovation and origin lingers somewhere in every cuvée. As Claude Taittinger, who took over from his brother Pierre in 1960 and spearheaded the company for decades, once reflected, 'We proceed bit by bit to elaborate a Champagne, of which is to resemble no other, simply itself.' Whether crafting the broad harmony of 'La Française' or the singular focus of 'Comtes de Champagne', Taittinger blends with purpose, mission and meaning. The result is Champagne that speaks not only of place, but of philosophy - a quiet tension between craft and expression, tradition and reinvention. And at the centre of it all is blending: equal parts art, discipline, and the patience to listen.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
11 Delicious American Wines To Drink This 4th Of July
Louis Roederer L'Hermitage Brut, 2019—a 100-point sparkling wine Louis Roederer Every single state in the Union makes wine—which means you'll have plentiful options for when selecting American wines to drink on July 4th. Indeed, it can be argued that American wines are as world-class as our Old World counterparts in most every category, from pinot noir and chardonnay to sparkling and rose, there is a wine to love in most every state. Consider the Finger Lakes region in New York where, explains Meaghan Frank, fourth generation vintner and Vice President of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, they enjoy a long history of producing traditional method sparkling wines dating back before prohibition. New York is also home to stunning Riesling wines says Frank, 'Riesling loves a cool climate, steep slopes and rocky soil- all of which we have plenty of in the Finger Lakes. The cool climate is moderated by our deep glacial lakes which also provide a myriad of soil types ranging from limestone to shale.' States like Texas have arid dry conditions for cultivating traditional Spanish varietals such as tempranillo while Oregon's cooler climate is ideal for pinot noir and chardonnay. We are a sprawling nation with myriad climates in which to grow grapes so make this Independence Day an opportunity to try the best in American wines Westborn Sparkling Wines, CALIFORNIA: The team behind these wines spent years sourcing premium fruit from some of California's most prestigious vineyards, and the results are world-class. Crafted by a trio of acclaimed winemakers: Weston Eidson, Russell Bevan, and Nathan Reeves, the three offerings (Perpetural Reserve, Brut and Rose) are polished, focused and elegant sparkling wine expressions of place and terroir. The Perpetual Reserve wins top nod from me for its character and richness. If you plan to break out a bottle and toast to America's birthday, this is the one. $100 In honor of Women's History Month, Domaine Carneros released the 2020 Crane Cuvée Brut Rosé, a limited-edition sparkling wine celebrating founding winemaker Eileen Crane, a trailblazer in American sparkling wine with over 40 years of experience. Crafted from the winery's original vineyard block, this Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend was the final wine Eileen blended before retiring. With only 663 cases produced, I's a bit of a national treasure—delicious with notes of strawberry, peaches, a whiff of honey and buttery toasted nuts. $84 Louis Roederer L'Hermitage Brut, 2019, CALIFORNIA: This marvelous sparkling wine just received a 100-point score from Wine Enthusiast— A perfect score for a perfect bubbly. Roederer's California bubbly has long been a go-to for me for good reasons. It is consistently spectacular. Made with grapes grown in the cooler climes of Anderson Valley, the Hermitage Brut is the winery's top prestige cuvée. Rich and creamy on the palate with notes of ripe apple, candied ginger, citrus peel and brioche, it's a winner to be sure. $80 Gruet Brut Rose, NEW MEXICO: A lovely legacy of French winemaking lives in New Mexico at Gruet, where they craft impeccable and very affordable Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines. The sparkling rose is a crowd favorite with bright red strawberry notes and streams of pearly bubbles on the palate. The price is so civilized you might want to make it your house sparkling. $15 average online Meaghan Frank, 4th generation vintner of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in New York Konstantin Frank Wine Dr Konstantin Frank Grüner Veltliner, 2023, NEW YORK: 'Our Gruner Veltliner,' explains Meaghan Frank, 'was planted 20 years ago in our Hector site on the east side of Seneca Lake, known as the 'banana-belt' of the Finger Lakes for its warmer temperatures. This area gets the afternoon sun and is moderated by a deeper lake (640ft. deep). My father Fred planted our Gruner Veltliner after studying in Germany and falling in love with Austrian Gruner Veltliner. He knew it had amazing potential in the cool climate of the Finger Lakes. Our style is fresh, herbal and citric. We are also debuting a reserve style in homage to my father Fred which is a richer style with partial oak fermentation and maturation. We also just released a traditional method Gruner Veltliner which is textured and fresh with 3 years aging on the lees before disgorgement. Gruner Veltliner is another standout variety to seek out in the region.' This wine dances with minerality and freshness and shows notes of candied lime, apricot and papaya on the palate. $19.99 Early Mountain Vineyards Petit Manseng, 2022, VIRGINIA: This stunning white wine just received one of only two Gold medals awarded to American wineries on the East Coast. This was also only the second Gold medal ever awarded to a Virginia winery in the history of the Decanter World Wine Awards (the world's largest wine competition). The wine shows ripe, tropical fruit notes, a thread of lemon curd and refreshing texture. Founded in 2012 by Jean and Steve Case, Early Mountain has been a leading winery in Virginia for the past decade. $65 Lange Estate Winery Three Hills Chardonnay, 2022, OREGON: This juicy Oregon Chardonnay drinks much like a world-class French Chablis with stony-flinty vibes, notes of rich lemon cream and a savory mouthwatering texture. $45 Rose: Provence me ets the American West in the Minus Tide Carignan Rose, 2024, CALIFORNIA. Whole cluster pressed and fermented with native yeast, this succulent rose brims with bright fresh strawberry and watermelon notes. Just Yum with any 4th of July picnic. $27 Reds: C.L Butaud, Farmhouse Vineyards Tempranillo, TEXAS: A Ripe and savory expression of 100% tempranillo that would be perfect with a classic July 4th barbecue of hamburgers, grilled hot dogs and corn on the cob. The wine shows notes of ripe plum and black cherry tempered with soft-worn leather and a dusty earth. $54 Auteur Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2022, CALIFORNIA: Founders Kenneth and Laura Juhasz bottle small-lot expressions of some of California's most exquisite sites for cultivating pinot noir—and this one from Anderson Valley is one of my favorites. Old growth redwood forests give way to rolling vineyards in this still-quiet winemaking region—and the vines make wines with tension, purity and brightness. Raspberry-cherry fruit, savory minerality and a hint of earth and violet make this one a great American classic. $85 Centennial Mountain Nerello Mascalese, 2021, CALIFORNIA: Just delicious, period. One of the select few vintners working with Italian varietals in California, and every single one is worth the splurge (Nebbiolo, I'm looking at you), but this one delivers on that bewitching blend of freshness and lusciousness on the palate with blue-black fruit notes and a gentle whiff of spice and leather. They planted the first Carricante and Nerello Mascalese vines grown in the U.S. at their Centennial Mountain Vineyard in Sonoma — this is a winery to watch. $59.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
King Charles and Camilla's favourite sparkling wine has huge discount for English Wine Week - here are the best deals ahead of Wimbledon and Henley Regatta
With English Wine Week in full swing, there's no time like the present to refresh your drinks collection. Taking place from 21 to 29 June, the annual event - organised by WineGB - celebrates the quality, innovation and community spirit of English winemaking, with a strong focus on sparkling wines. This year's theme, Create New Traditions, invites wine lovers to explore and enjoy homegrown bottles in fresh, meaningful ways. And with summer events like Wimbledon and the Henley Royal Regatta just around the corner, there's no better excuse to stock up on something special. Browse our curated selection of standout English sparkling wines at exceptional prices - including a discounted sparkling rosé from Highgrove, the official residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla. Highgrove English Sparkling Rosé NV, 75cl £30.56 Crafted exclusively for Highgrove by Herbert Hall Winery in Kent, this pale pink blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay features aromas of wild strawberry, peach blossom and fresh acidity. It's ideal as an elegant aperitif. Shop Rathfinny Wine Estate, Classic Cuvée Brut, 75cl £33.95 This Sussex sparkler delivers aromas of grapefruit, red apple and brioche, with zesty acidity and a creamy, biscuity texture. Perfectly paired with truffle-infused arancini or a cep and onion tart. Shop Tesco Finest English Sparkling Wine, 75cl £21.50 From the award-winning Balfour winery, this crisp blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir delivers apple, citrus and subtle brioche notes. Best enjoyed chilled as a refreshing aperitif. Shop Flint Charmat White, Norfolk, 75cl £19.80 Made sustainably in Norfolk, this sparkling white features notes of lemon, pear, melon and green apple. Fermentation in oak and tank gives it both depth and vibrancy. Shop Chapel Down A Touch of Sparkle 2022/23, Kent, 75cl £13 One of the UK's leading winemakers, Chapel Down, blends Bacchus and Chardonnay grapes grown in Kent. Expect fresh floral aromas and tropical fruit notes, including pineapple and grapefruit. Shop Furleigh Estate Dorset Coast Special Reserve, 75cl £25 Boasting a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this sparkling wine is made in the Dorset countryside. It has earned numerous accolades for its refined character. Shop Harvey Nichols English Sparkling Brut NV, 75cl £31 Produced by Digby Fine English, this traditional method blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is aged for two years on lees. It boasts citrus, green apple and stone fruit flavours with a creamy biscuit finish - great with canapés or seafood. Shop Waitrose Leckford Estate English Sparkling Wine, 75cl £30 From Waitrose's Leckford Estate, this one-off vintage offers a slightly sweeter profile with a creamy mouthfeel. Celebration-ready, it's perfect for toasting or enjoying with light desserts. Shop Bolney North Downs Classic Cuvée NV Brut, 75cl £25 An outstanding wine from Bolney Estate, this vintage blend has aromas of green apple and tea roses, with lemon oil and brioche on the palate. It's complex and structured - great with delicate canapés or shellfish. Shop Sainsbury's Ellercombe English Sparkling Wine, Taste the Difference, 75cl £17 Made from grapes grown across top vineyard sites in Southern England, this wine combines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Expect green apple, citrus, toasty brioche and a hint of elderflower. Shop
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Celebrate English Wine Week
A Union flag flies above Exton Park vineyard in Southampton, England. Getty Images English Wine Week is underway, and this year's theme, 'Create New Traditions,' feels increasingly relevant. Premium sparkling wines are consistently emerging from the chalky slopes of southern England, and wine lovers are taking them very seriously, increasingly convinced they can compete with Champagne for prestige and glamour. From weddings and Sunday lunches to garden parties and casual aperitifs, English fizz is no longer a curiosity, it deserves its place in the social calendar. During English Wine Week (21–29 June 2025), wine lovers can immerse themselves in a host of events across the country, from vineyard tours and tastings to winemaker dinners and pop-up experiences. Many estates across Southern England are opening their doors to guests, with guided walks, barbecues among the vines, live jazz, and even vintage-bus tours between producers on the agenda. A look at the stats suggests it's going to be a busy week. Visits to UK vineyards have seen steady growth, with WineGB's latest Wine Tourism Report recording a 55% increase over the two years leading up to 2024 - totalling 1.5 million visits to vineyards and wineries in the past year alone. The upward trend shows no signs of slowing, driven by the growing reputation of English wine and the continued expansion of cellar door experiences across the country. Visitors to Balfour winery. Saltwick Media Restaurants and bars are offering English wine pairing menus, while national and independent retailers are all running promotions in their own way. Whether you're sipping sparkling in the sun, exploring a vineyard trail, or discovering the growing stable of award-winning wines, this week is the perfect time to celebrate and support England's fast-rising wine scene. Virtually every winery in the country is doing something, but you can see a full program of events throughout the week here. Here are some other ideas and stops worth checking out. Restaurants with an outstanding English wine list The stunning interiors at Woven by Adam Smith at Coworth Park is one of the greatest place to indulge in England's best bubbles. Woven by Adam Smith / Cowarth Park Set within the elegant grounds of Coworth Park in Berkshire, Woven by Adam Smith offers a confident expression of modern British cooking. The interiors are understated, and thoughtfully designed, providing a calm and polished backdrop to a menu driven by seasonal ingredients and technical precision. A carefully curated English wine list complements the food, with producers like Danbury Ridge featured by the glass and in half-bottles - offering both sophistication and strong value. English wines are fully integrated into the tasting menu, from lively local sparklings to a refined Sussex Blanc de Blancs, each pairing selected to echo the flavours and textures of the dish. It's a considered and immersive dining experience, where English food and wine are presented at their most articulate. The Clove Club in Shoreditch has English wines going back to the 90s in their cellar. The Clove Club The Clove Club The Clove Club is one of London's most refined and forward-thinking restaurants, celebrated not only for its elegant, ingredient-led tasting menus but also for its exceptional wine list. For those curious about the evolution of English sparkling wine, it's it's an opportunity to explore the category's legacy. The cellar includes rare back vintages from pioneering producers like Nyetimber, with bottles dating back to the early 1990s, offering a glimpse into how these wines age. Things have improved a lot since then of course. You'll also find older vintages from Roebuck Estates and Gusbourne, each showcasing the depth, complexity, and ageing potential that English sparkling can now command. It's a fitting setting to appreciate just how far the country's wine industry has come and drink important wines with some of the best ingredients and cooking in the British isles. The Gallivant has a wonderful English wine list. The Gallivant The Gallivant The Gallivant at Camber Sands is a boutique coastal retreat that combines laid-back luxury with a deep-rooted passion for English wine. Just steps from the sweeping dunes of East Sussex, the hotel offers a relaxed, beach-house feel with a distinctly British sensibility. What truly sets it apart, however, is its extraordinary wine offering—the largest English wine list in the country. Each evening, guests are invited to take part in the hotel's signature 'English Wine at Five' ritual, where a rotating selection of local sparkling wines is served by the glass in the lounge, creating a warm and convivial atmosphere. The restaurant places English wine front and centre, with a carefully curated list that celebrates the diversity and quality of producers across the country. Sommelier-led pairing suggestions and tastings are regularly offered for those looking to explore more deeply. With nearby vineyard visits available and a team passionate about sharing the story behind each bottle, The Gallivant is more than a place to stay—it's a coastal gateway to the vibrant world of English wine. The Vineyard Hotel & Spa near Newbury is a wine focussed hotel and alongside a changing selection of English wines, boasts a cellar of 30,000 bottles. The Vineyard The Vineyard Hotel The Vineyard at Stockcross, just outside Newbury in Berkshire, is a five-star hotel and spa with a celebrated restaurant - all built around a genuine passion for wine. Set within an elegant 18th-century former hunting lodge, it offers refined accommodation and award-winning dining beneath a domed skylight, surrounded by an impressive collection of original artworks. At its heart is an extraordinary wine cellar, home to around 30,000 bottles and over 100 wines by the glass, including a carefully curated selection of leading English still and sparkling wines. A well informed team guides guests through the menu, and and is keen to provide recommendations. Just 90 minutes from London, The Vineyard is a great weekend retreat combining relaxation and quality food with thoughtful wine experiences. The interiors at The Ivy. © Jake Eastham The Ivy The Original Ivy is a West End institution, where Art Deco glamour and classic British charm create the perfect setting for a glass of English bubbles. With its polished wood panelling, vintage mirrors, and pressed white tablecloths, the décor alone makes it a fitting place to enjoy a bottle of. Nyetimber's homegrown fizz, alongside their well-loved menu of elevated English comfort food. Pair it with the Dorset crab. Perfect for dining before a show, the Ivy combines style, heritage, and a gently patriotic drinks list in the heart of London's theatre land. Other cool spots A growing number of top restaurants and hotels are embracing English wine with conviction. At Hide in Mayfair, owned by Hedonism Wines, diners enjoy access to one of the most expansive cellars in the country - everything in the Hedonism shop is available at the table, including their strong English selection. Meanwhile, in Covent Garden, La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels has a chic but casual vibe. It is known for an extensive, and frankly, exceptional curation of Champagne and Burgundy. Yet tucked among the French classics is a small but thoughtful English wine choice. Wiltshire's Domaine Hugo is the current fizz selection, and there is also a rather cool 'Many Moons' Chardonnay Pinot Blanc field blend from the clays soils of the Crouch Valley in Essex. So if you're feeling a bit provocative, you can pop in here for a cheese board and a few proud glasses of vins anglais. The Pig hotel group has also emerged as a champion of English wine, offering extensive and thoughtfully curated list across its various properties. At their South Downs site, the list features over 50 English wines, enhanced by knowledgeable input from the team. The Pig has even partnered with Sugrue South Downs to produce its own bottles - such as the 2018 Pig Reserve and Lobster Shed Pink Rosé - from a small vineyard parcel known as the Alpaca Block. With a dedicated 'Friends of The Pig' category, highlighting rising stars like Northbrook Springs and Bee Tree Vineyard, the group offers guests an immersive, vineyard-to-glass experience. Five recommendations for English sparkling wines Viticulture in the UK can be traced right back to day of Roman rule, with evidence suggesting a tradition of wine drinking that predates even that. The Domesday Book of 1086 records 42 vineyards across England and Wales and references 'Nitimbreha', the namesake of Sussex producer Nyetimber. While the practice of grape cultivation is far from new, the modern UK wine industry remains relatively young. Nonetheless, it is expanding steadily: there are now over 700 vineyards across Great Britain, with new plantings continuing each year. In 2019 alone, three million vines were added, bringing the total vineyard area to just over 3,800 hectares. Annual production remains highly variable, shaped by the challenges of a marginal climate—ranging from 5.9 million bottles in the frost-affected 2017 vintage to 15.6 million in the exceptional 2018 harvest. These fluctuations are a reminder that, however sophisticated the winemaking, vines remain subject to the same agricultural vulnerabilities as any other crop. Blanc de Blancs 2019 by Gusbourne Gusbourne's Blanc de Blancs 2019 is a pure expression of English Chardonnay, crafted exclusively from grapes grown on the estate's clay and chalk-rich vineyards in Kent and West Sussex. Produced only in selected vintages that offer both ripeness and precision, this wine is a benchmark for English elegance and finesse. The nose opens with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and white blossom, carried by a fine, persistent mousse. The palate is taut and focused, with crisp citrus, ripe pear, and hints of toasted brioche and crushed oyster shell. A saline edge and vibrant acidity drive a long, precise finish. With its clarity, poise, and ageing potential, Gusbourne's Blanc de Blancs 2019 is a standout among English sparkling wines. Tillington Single Vineyard 2016 by Nyetimber Nyetimber's Tillington Single Vineyard is a low-production cuvée made only in exceptional vintages, showcasing the distinctive character of one of England's most celebrated vineyard sites. Made predominantly from Pinot Noir (73%) with a touch of Chardonnay, and matured for nearly a decade, it is a true expression of place. Fine, elegant bubbles carry lifted aromas of raspberry, red apple skin, and rose petal. The palate is textured and refined, unfolding in layers of orange zest, raspberry, apricot, and marzipan, with opulent fruit and complex biscuit notes lingering on a long, mouth-watering finish. This is one of the finest English sparkling wines available today. English Brut Rose NV by Louis Pommery A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown in the chalk rich soils of Hampshire, the Louis Pommery Brut Rosé is a beautifully quaffable cuvée. It's made at the Pinglestone Estate in New Alresford, where head Winemaker Will Perkins works in close collaboration with Clément Pierlot, Champagne Pommery's cellar master. This wine's charm lies in the bright notes of strawberry and citrus, while a fine mineral edge accompanies crisp, easy drinking freshness. Rose de Noirs 2016 by Ridgeview Ridgeview's Rosé de Noirs 2016 is a limited-release sparkling wine made using the saignée method from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, crafted only in exceptional vintages. It pours a distinctive peach-gold hue, with fine bubbles and fragrant aromas of redcurrant, summer berries, and honey. The palate is expressive and vibrant, offering bright notes of strawberry and cherry layered with hints of orange, cranberry, and delicate biscuit. A soft, creamy texture and rounded mouthfeel lead into a long, elegant finish. This is a poised and characterful English rosé sparkler that balances depth, freshness, and finesse. Pair it with strawberries and smoked salmon canapés. Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2020 by Camel Valley Vineyard Camel Valley's 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé Brut is a beautifully balanced traditional method Cornish sparkling wine made from estate-grown Pinot Noir. Founded in 1989 by former RAF pilot Bob Lindo, and now a proud holder of a Royal Warrant, Camel Valley is one of the key references in English wine's success. The estate's rosé shows a delicate salmon-pink hue with fine, persistent bubbles and opens into fragrant aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and floral honey. On the palate, vibrant red fruits merge into a brioche-like richness, supported by crisp acidity and a soft mousse. Very easy to like and a charming summer party fizz. Bacchus grapes growing at Fox Hole Vineyard in West Sussex. London Cru Wines A new era for Bacchus What about still wines? Over the past decade, English wine producers have deepened their understanding of Bacchus, a grape once seen primarily as a workhorse for crisp, grassy whites. Through careful site selection, canopy management, and refined winemaking techniques, growers have learned how to coax more complexity and ripeness from this variety, even in England's marginal climate. The result? A new wave of peachy, aromatic Bacchus wines that retain their signature freshness but now show layers of ripe stone fruit, elderflower, and soft citrus. In warmer vintages, some expressions even flirt with the texture and perfume of a cool-climate Viognier, marking Bacchus not just as England's answer to Sauvignon Blanc, but as a grape with a voice of its own. Bacchus by London Cru (West Sussex): London Cru's Bacchus from Foxhole Vineyard is a vibrant, cool-climate expression of one of England's most promising white grapes. Grown on just 0.3 hectares of carefully tended vines in West Sussex, this limited-release wine (only 1,200 bottles made) delivers zesty aromas of grapefruit, candied lemon peel, and gooseberry, underpinned by subtle smoky notes. The palate is crisp and mouth-watering, with green apple, lime, and a whisper of oak adding creaminess and depth. Hand-harvested and gently vinified, it's both gastro friendly and dangerously quaffable - perfect with oysters. Bacchus by Three Choirs (Gloucestershire): A beautifully fresh, expressive Bacchus showcasing vibrant peach, lime, and subtle herbal notes. Crafted via cool fermentation with a touch of lees aging for extra complexity, it finishes crisp and clean. At around £16–19 per bottle, it's a refined yet accessible example that highlights the varietal's peachy charm 'Kit's Coty' Bacchus by Chapel Down (Kent): This wine offers a crisp and expressive take on Bacchus, with bright citrus, elderflower, and a clean mineral backbone. Produced in Kent, one of England's key wine regions, it captures the grape's aromatic charm while maintaining a refreshing clarity. Chapel Down's attention to detail in both vineyard and winery lends this Bacchus a polished, modern style. Bacchus by Lyme Bay Winery (Devon & Essex): A vibrant expression from fruit blended from both Devon and Essex, Lyme Bay's Bacchus offers lively green fruit and citrus flavours, with just enough ripeness to evoke peach and passionfruit notes. Has energy and depth, and those comforting notes of English hedgerow.
