A NEW KING?! English Sparkling Wine vs. Champagne

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  • Опубліковано 4 бер 2023
  • Support me on my PATREON: / konstantinbaum
    Follow me on ...:
    / konstantinbaum_mw
    Check out my website:
    baumselection.com/
    I use this wine key: Laguiole en Aubrac Wine Key Ebony
    I have used this glass in this Video: RIEDEL Veritas Champagne
    I have tasted the following wines in this Video:
    Coates & Seely Sparkling Rosé:
    www.wine-searcher.com/find/co...
    Pol Roger Réserve Brut:
    www.wine-searcher.com/find/po...
    Taittinger Prestige Rosé:
    www.wine-searcher.com/find/ta...
    Nyetimber Classic Cuvée Brut:
    www.wine-searcher.com/find/ny...
    The 100 Point Scoring System (from www.robertparker.com):
    96-100: An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase and consume.
    90 - 95: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
    80 - 89: A barely above average to very good wine displaying various degrees of finesse and flavor as well as character with no noticeable flaws.
    70 - 79: An average wine with little distinction except that it is soundly made. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous wine.
    60 - 69: A below-average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavor or possibly dirty aromas or flavors.
    50 - 59: A wine deemed to be unacceptable.
    Champagne is the king of bottle-fermented sparkling wine - there, I said it - but there are new contenders for the throne, and one has been making the rounds a lot in recent years. Compared to the centuries of tradition in Champagne English sparkling wine is a relatively new invention. The new wave - if you can call it that - of vineyard plantings in England started in the middle of the 20th century and today there are around 200 wineries covering 3,700 hectares of vineyards in England.
    The region of Champagne alone covers 34,200 hectares 10 times all of the vineyards in England. More than half of the vineyard surface area in England was planted since 2010 and the hybrid and/or German workhorse varietals such as Bacchus, Seyval Blanc, and Solaris have been widely replaced by Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
    The latter three varietals are of cause also the main varietals in champagne and the climate as well as some of the soils, such as Kimmeridgian limestone, are similar to Champagne.
    The cool and often wet conditions in the area are pretty good for the production of sparkling wine but they are also tough growing conditions if you are trying to make wine commercially.
    Nevertheless more and more English producers have started making bottle-fermented sparkling wine in a similar style to Champagne and today we are going to find out, whether they can rival or even defeat the King of Sparkling wine in a blind tasting.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 202

  • @equesta
    @equesta Рік тому +105

    English Sparkling winemaker here. Don't be too worried about getting the two sides of the channel mixed up. English Sparkling was heavily influenced by Champagne anyway and what usually gives it away is the acidity and slightly less autolytic notes. The exception would of course be Nyetimber, I think they've got a good collection of reserve wines so they would be able to blend more complexity and aged notes. Plus the original winemaker was Champenoise! 😉

    • @KonstantinBaumMasterofWine
      @KonstantinBaumMasterofWine  Рік тому +12

      Thanks. Which winery are you working at?

    • @equesta
      @equesta Рік тому +28

      @@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine I work at a smaller winery just south of London called "Greyfriars" but I am making my own English Sparkling through contract with a couple of others. Thanks so much for the exposure - the industry has a long way to go in terms of recognition and branding, but as you can tell, the quality is certainly up there! Keep up the great work! If you're ever in the UK again, I can show you around if you're interested!

    • @numanuma20
      @numanuma20 Рік тому +1

      @@equesta Is Bride Valley still producing wine?

    • @Dkkm10
      @Dkkm10 Рік тому +1

      What are your thoughts on Sparkling Sake? I like sparkling sake.

    • @jackpritchard9563
      @jackpritchard9563 Рік тому +1

      ​@@numanuma20 they still produce a full range of still and sparkling

  • @williamrobinson7435
    @williamrobinson7435 Рік тому +11

    I always assumed that "Method Britainique" would mean "plant extra vines and hope for some decent weather", and I say this as an Englishman, but perhaps I'm wrong.. Sadly the real winner here perhaps is climate change.. I suspect that when one goes up to the really pricey Grand Cru level, Champagne still comes out on top.. Very interesting and I definitely would like to try more English sparklers. Nice one Konstantin! 🥂Cheers. 🌟👍

  • @nickolausj123
    @nickolausj123 Рік тому +35

    I've been blown away by the quality of some of the English producers. The price to quality ratio can be amazing given the cost of champagne.

    • @barmalini
      @barmalini 11 місяців тому

      I guess this largely depends on where you source your champagnes from. In the cellars you can find an excellent grand-cru below 20 euros, and I'm yet fo find anything competitive made in Blighty

  • @connorwinton4343
    @connorwinton4343 17 днів тому

    I love how new places in the world for wine growing are being used and discovered. As climate change changes our world we must adapt and find new places to grow grapes for our favorite beverage and I'm here for it.

  • @James-vw9nu
    @James-vw9nu Рік тому +4

    Wow great timing !
    We just received our first shipment of Nyetimber just last month in australia and had a chance to taste the 2014 BDB just last week and was blown away. Phenomenal stuff !

  • @antonygann2656
    @antonygann2656 Рік тому

    Yes Constantin! I’ve been anticipating this video for some time.

  • @jordanh4034
    @jordanh4034 Рік тому

    I’ve been through like all the main wine channels. This one is my favorite. It’s the most genuine/trustworthy and you have a great personality. I hope you keep this going.

  • @SteelyTheVan
    @SteelyTheVan Рік тому +10

    Fantastic tasting! Well done Leon! I enjoyed that Mr. KB was honestly surprised. I’ve not yet tasted English sparkling wine, but after watching your review, I’d like to now try them. Cheers, John

  • @alexg20111
    @alexg20111 Рік тому +1

    Good video, a great selection of sparkling wines to compare. I’ve had Nyetimber before, was impressed with it.
    Funnily enough this weekend we went for a tasting at Gusbourne in Kent. They had some really good sparkling wines on offer, definitely worth you trying. The Blanc De Noir was very impressive.

  • @remifjelldal7299
    @remifjelldal7299 Рік тому +12

    the nyetimber rose is fantatic, for me 94p wine. and i would agree that the normal cuve is around 92. interesting tasting, here in Norway we are definitly plessed by the fact that we get A LOT of good english sparkeling on the market. and they are great! for me English sparklign is more or less a the equivalent to a cru in champagne (in the meaning of "just an extention of the "champagne region").(sorry to all the purist) But I love champagne (which when i say this, includes english sparkling) Great idea, I want to repeat this type of tasting myself!

    • @Funglutton
      @Funglutton Рік тому +1

      In England calling a bottle a "94p" wine would be to suggest it is only worth 94 pence (or £0.94)! So it sounds like an accusation of extremely poor quality! ;)

    • @remifjelldal7299
      @remifjelldal7299 Рік тому +2

      @@Funglutton I think the context is pretty obvious talking about wine ratings. But yes I see the likeness to pence 😂 wishful thinking perhaps? I would buy a warehouse full for that price 😂

  • @joachimjenni
    @joachimjenni Рік тому

    awesome video as always!

  • @jacobweber4234
    @jacobweber4234 Рік тому +1

    I had the task, and pleasure of tasting and making describtion for Chapel Down Brut NV, which really impressed me, I also got to taste their English Rose, which also was really good.
    Back in early 2020, I served Ambriel´s 2010, which was really tight, thinking of revisiting it again this year.

  • @drmatthewhorkey
    @drmatthewhorkey Рік тому +1

    Thanks a ton... I'm VERY weak when it comes to knowledge of English sparklers... All your fellow MWs said hello from Croatia!

  • @stanleovart
    @stanleovart Рік тому

    I tasted particularly Nyetimber and it is really great! Good that you tried 🎉🥂

  • @schferleon
    @schferleon Рік тому

    Very interesting results!

  • @gustavomgomes
    @gustavomgomes Рік тому

    Puffffffff!!! Love your sense of humor !!!

  • @kentpiano2600
    @kentpiano2600 7 місяців тому +1

    Great fun! I guessed wine 5!! Loved the TU with Pol Roger, very convincing and good!! I live in English Sparkling Kent and picked grapes this harvest for Gusbourne, Appledore xx

  • @RCTricking
    @RCTricking Рік тому +3

    Great video idea! If English can get better distribution to get lower prices and more availability in US then I will try!

  • @der_weinigel
    @der_weinigel Рік тому

    we’ve honestly all been waiting for this showdown ! n

  • @duncanhenderson005
    @duncanhenderson005 Рік тому

    I'm a big fan of ESW, with Nyetimber being my favourite. Amazing vineyard tour too. Gusbourne are also great, along with Three Choirs, Chapel Down & White Castle (Wales). Recently visited Woodchester Valley, which I also enjoyed! Nyetimber definitely has more yeasty / doughy notes than the others I've tried.

  • @frossato
    @frossato Рік тому +2

    For UK, Nyetimber is on sale at Sainsburys for £29

  • @ecmo11
    @ecmo11 Рік тому +3

    If you haven't already, try Gusborne. To my tastes, it's even better than Nyetimber, which was my favorite English Fizz for a long time. I love what the top English producers are doing, and I really enjoy introducing people to their wines. "English wine" almost always gets me a funny look from new friends, but they're quickly convinced after tasting them.

  • @undisclosedperson3871
    @undisclosedperson3871 Рік тому +2

    I recently swapped my fridge filler from Champagne Palmer and Pol Roger to Nyetimber (and Levrier from Australia). Nyetimber Rose and Brut are both superb wines for the money and every bit as good/better than similarly priced Champagne.

  • @Fisklina
    @Fisklina Рік тому

    I've tasted a few British sparkling wines from Gusbourne, Nyetimber, Exton Park, Rathfinny and Hambledon and from most more than one. I must say I've been really impressed. I recently picked up a bottle of Cuvée Boz BdB 2015 from Sugrue which I thought was excellent and ageworthy. So much so that I went and bought a few more to tuck away in my cellar.

  • @stanleovart
    @stanleovart Рік тому

    Oh Konstantin heard my offer to taste English wine! Cool🎉

  • @aglass7539
    @aglass7539 Рік тому +13

    I’m so glad you’ve covered these two regions/countries for sparkling wine. It confirms that English sparkling isn’t all hype. Hoping to add some English sparkling to our list. But one other thing remains is the image champagne has had in our lifetime.. it’s always going to be the go to sparkly to celebrate that special occasion sadly. You can’t quite say ‘lets crack open a bottle of English’ as opposed to open a ‘bottle of champagne’ - doesn’t quite have the same effect due to the historical and reputation champagne developed in all these years. Great video.

    • @jujuUK68
      @jujuUK68 Рік тому +1

      I understand the sentiment, but these days, with supermarkets punting out cheap French champers at as little as £13-15, when on offer, and knowing that going for an English is going to be £20-30+ at the base level (that which 90% is sold/drunk), frankly opening a Nyetimber, Denbies, Lyme Bay, Chapel Down or whatever, feels rather more special these days...... but that might also be because I'm English, and it's great to taste the industry success in the glass, along with the brioche/lemon notes. Oddly enough, I find Nyetimber's basic product to be a little too sour - too much gooseberry/unripe apple, and prefer a slightly less astringent palatte.

    • @welshtoro3256
      @welshtoro3256 6 місяців тому +1

      Let's not write off Cava. I married my Spanish wife in Spain and our reception hostess offered us Champagne or Cava. It felt rude not to have Cava in Spain and it was half the price. I can assure you that when the time came nobody noticed. Cava has taken a back seat recently but they are knocking it out the park for price/quality.

  • @DaMueff
    @DaMueff Рік тому

    I tasted Nyetimber at a dinner in the UK - and yes, I really liked it. Definitely a very interesting alternative to Champagne.

  • @bobmarley2140
    @bobmarley2140 Рік тому +6

    I heard we were getting up there in quality it's good to hear an unbiased opinion, I think I will have to try more English sparkling, it is interesting that you got the pol roger mixed up, a wine that I think was designed for the English palate as many champagnes were. A great tasting

    • @DenisonBarracksPerimeterFence
      @DenisonBarracksPerimeterFence Рік тому +3

      Yep, there's a huge connection between Pol Roger and the UK. They put a black band on the label when Churchill died such was his affection for PR and PR for him. It's not one or the other, it's an entente cordiale!

  • @paulmartin9062
    @paulmartin9062 Рік тому +3

    Wow, 1-0 to England! 🍾 Great to see English sparking wine more than hold its own against two titans from Champagne. Love the Nyetimber, and also their demi-sec. I can heartily recommend Woodchester 2017 Blanc de Blancs from Gloucestershire as well as their excellent sparkling rosé.
    England is also making some very good still whites (e.g. Lyme Bay Shoreline) and even a few nice reds - Simpsons Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir 2020 a recent highlight.
    Really interesting video, thank you!

  • @giuliettcamel
    @giuliettcamel Рік тому +1

    I have been living (and drinking 🤣) in London for 6 years. I tried quite a few, same really good example. I found that sometimes/often they show quite an over the top acidic which is tough to take. I believe malolactic fermentation is not very common but it's not always easy to find all the info.

  • @utu1124
    @utu1124 Рік тому

    Can't believe you nailed that Taittinger!

  • @jeremywren2190
    @jeremywren2190 Рік тому

    As always an excellent and enjoyable tasting. Excellent timing we are about to spend a week tasting in Kent and Sussex. I particularly like Gusbourne 2016 Blanc de Blanc

  • @numanuma20
    @numanuma20 Рік тому

    I haven’t had one in years. My wine shop had the Digby and that was great.

  • @domjw0012
    @domjw0012 Рік тому +3

    Yes Konstantin! I've been waiting for this video for a long time. Good to see English sparkling getting the recognition it deserves from the greats like you. It is such an exciting 'newcomer' in the wine world but one that you have shown can seriously hold its own.
    Many champagne houses have bought land in south England maybe future-proofing against climate change. Could there be some interesting side-by-side same producer cross-Channel tastings to be done? I think Pommery is the first to already release its first English sparkling and I was very impressed.

    • @welshtoro3256
      @welshtoro3256 6 місяців тому

      Good comment. They are interested in buying English land aren't they. I visited Camel Valley in Cornwall in 2007 and they already had a fine reputation. I'm a big fan of quality Cava too. I love Champagne but it's definitely not the only thing on the block.

  • @sew505
    @sew505 Рік тому

    I have been a big fan of gusbourne for years now. English sparkling wine is not cheap but it is excellent quality and glad you shone some light on it. Some others good ones are rathfinny, maypole,hambledon and oxney!

  • @rickwezenaar
    @rickwezenaar Рік тому

    hey konstantin, I want to thank you for all the great advice and thoughts about wine you give in your videos. I would like to request a video about Penfolds. I have several bottles in my wine cooler and I am very interested in your opinion of these wines from this wine maker ! ^_^

  • @BillCameronWC
    @BillCameronWC 10 місяців тому +2

    I’ve had Nyetimber sparkling wines several times over the years & think it often gives Champagne a run for its money. The only one of the four I’ve not sampled is the Coates & Seely so that’s one I’ll certainly look out for. One of my favourite Champagnes is Pol Roger, both NV & Vintage, & I’ve had it many times over the years. Taittinger I’ve not had so frequently, but often enough and it’s usually very good. My other favourite champagne for many years though has been Veuve Cliquot, NV for regular occasions, a decent vintage for something more special. I got to know this Champagne pretty well when I lived for a number of years in Paris and either had it there, or on my frequent weekend trips to the nearby Champagne region for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays, so was lucky enough to visit a number of producers there, some of the better known houses as well as some of less famous ones. Often for special occasions I’ll have pink champagne or English pink sparkling wine. As I’m British (Scottish in fact) I will quite often try and offer English sparkling wine to foreign, specially French, guests, as mostly they will never have sampled it before and I find it great fun to see their reactions when they learn where it came from. Unfortunately English wines, whether sparkling or still, are never going to be very cheap, because of the low yields and sometimes precarious weather, but they are often well made so are worth sampling. I find it very interesting how confounding blind tastings can be even for an expert such as you, and your videos are always so informative and balanced.

  • @zaphod333
    @zaphod333 Рік тому

    English Sparkling made it on my radar a while ago, but unfortunately not yet into my glass. Thx for reinvigorationg my attention.
    In the price range affordable to me so far the top Cuvées of Raumland German Sparkling are my favorites. I don't get the same bang for the buck from my favorite Champagnes (both Moncuits, Agrapart)

  • @alicebarker8012
    @alicebarker8012 Рік тому

    My personal favourite English sparklings are the hambledon rosé and the nytimber brut both fabulous examples of sparkling wines definitely a bit cheaper than comparable champagne's

  • @Jeroenbdesign
    @Jeroenbdesign Рік тому

    fun episode!

  • @gerardgreen3441
    @gerardgreen3441 Рік тому

    There are many terrific English sparklers around. My current favourites are Squerryes blanc de blanc (tiny production from Westerham in Kent). Also Camel Valley blanc de noir from Cornwall. Both are delicious.

  • @luckyphil45
    @luckyphil45 10 місяців тому

    Really interesting video, there are some really good English wines out there. I've spent the last couple of years looking for nearby offerings around the West County; my favourite little winemaker is called Fenny Castle vineyard, showed me that a rosè can be a delight not the saccharine sweet plonk of my studenthood. And all made by a lovely and enthusiastic family.
    Honourable mentions; Whitehall vineyard, Three Choirs vineyard, Wraxall vineyard

  • @barmalini
    @barmalini 11 місяців тому

    Thanks for the info, going to pour all my boerl & kroff bottles down the drain tomorrow morning.
    Not really. But really thank you for the video, it is very informative, I've herad many good things about the English bubbles nowadays, will have to taste them some day, though they seem a bit pricy when compared to some excellent grand crus from vignerons.

  • @FabrizioDiCarlo
    @FabrizioDiCarlo Рік тому

    I am currently in London (for vacation finally and not for business) and decided to have dinner at Noble Rot Lamb's Conduit... Had a glass of Hambledon, Classic Cuvee, a lovely sparkling wine from Hampshire :) at home I have a bottle of Nyetimber waiting to be popped :)

  • @elijahumogilevsky7004
    @elijahumogilevsky7004 Рік тому +1

    Unfortunately I haven't yet tried English sparkling wines. Until then, the bargain for me is Alta Langa sparkling wines - they are sometimes just great for prices not coming even halfway to the most simple of Champagne. It will be very interesting to see you blind tasting big house Champagne Vs growers Champagne, as well as other traditional method sparkling wines of the world. Thanks a lot!

  • @bluecrystalplanet4824
    @bluecrystalplanet4824 Рік тому

    Cool exercise, Konstantin! Blind tasting is humble pie time and this video is just great and super entertaining! In general, I still rather stick to Champagne, but I've been lucky to taste quite a bunch of English sparklers at a few LWFs and am deeply impressed. Not cheap, but they have achieved impressive quality in a short period of time. And you "only" had the Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, their BdB is an insane jump in quality. It's so fun that the high level sparkler category has another serious member apart from Champagne & Vintage Franciacorta.

  • @robinb123
    @robinb123 Рік тому

    Thanks Konstantin! You should really try wines from Gusbourne in Kent. They are excellent and made in Champagne style.

  • @jovegajo
    @jovegajo Рік тому

    Another fun and exciting tasting!
    Now what if you do cremant and/or sekt vs champagne?

  • @christopherwilliams9158
    @christopherwilliams9158 Рік тому

    Another good and interesting tasting Konstantin, thanks. Nyetimber have been making great wine for sometime now. For guidance the correct pronunciation is ‘Nai-Tim-buh’ like the seaside town in Sussex called Rye.

  • @MPDunn
    @MPDunn Рік тому +1

    Such a great video Konstantin! I'm originally from Kent where, I would dare to say, the best English still wines are produced (I've been living in Germany for almost a decade now) and my go to party trick is bringing a bottle of weird English wine to a party to shock people haha. I have a small collection of English wines in my cellar and if you're ever in BW then you are more than welcome to come by and try some still wines. It would be really interesting to see you compare English and say German still wines, for example. I can definitely send you on your way with a bottle or two. Westwell has some really interesting natural wines (their Ortega is amazing), Tillingham has some really out there heavy on the lees and unfiltered wines (Endgrain is great). Both Simpsons and Chartham (their Bacchus is brilliant) vineyards do more classic wines but they also do great, very clear and precise wines. Drop me a line if you wanna try any of these.

  • @WineShaman
    @WineShaman Рік тому

    Lucky enough to have had a wonderful meal at L’Enclume recently that started with a glass of Pinot Meunier from Exton Park that I really enjoy. It’s exciting to taste some of the great sparkling wines being produced in the UK and long may it continue to grow.

  • @WillCL1994
    @WillCL1994 Рік тому

    This video makes me so happy!!
    I highly recommend Gusbourne 2012 Late Disgorged (in 2020) Blanc de Blanc (£100)
    &
    Chapel Downs, Kits Coty 2016 Coure de Cuvee Blanc de Blanc (£99)
    &
    Gasbourne Blanc de Blanc 2018 (£65)
    Was at both vineyards 3 weeks ago and tasted 16 of wines all good some great and a few exceptional.
    Tried a selection of still and sparkling including a Pinot Noir (that needed a bit of work)

  • @NickGardiner1
    @NickGardiner1 Рік тому +2

    A big problem with English sparkling was the tax regime. You have to pay tax on production, not just sales. This stopped a lot of small producers keeping reserve wines back, which is a huge part of regular champagne production.
    I lived next to a now rather famous sparkling winery where 20 years ago they were a local novelty/luxury that you would buy to support local business - a bit one-dimensions all but now producing some top world-class stuff because they can keep back wines and make a great NV sparkling.

  • @dublodave7860
    @dublodave7860 Рік тому

    I have been following Nyetimber from it's early days. The estate was originally set up by Stuart & Sandy Moss (a couple of Americans) in the late 1980's. I had the privilege to meet them a few times in the 1990's and still have a few bottles of their 1993 (their second commercial vintage) in my cellar (together with their 96's and half a dozen later vintages). I opened a bottle of the 93 in December and it was incredible, certainly on a par with some of the Grand Marque's of Champagne and still with quite a good few years of life left in it, superb fizz..

  • @paolostrada6335
    @paolostrada6335 Рік тому

    Loved this tasting. Other two producer I found amazing on the other side of the channel are Wiston Estate and Busi-Jacobsohn. I think the WIston Blanc des Noirs 2014 it's at the moment the best sparkling I have tasted outside of Champagne!

  • @pwlp789
    @pwlp789 Рік тому

    Great video. I would love to see you review English Pinot Noir. I do hope this will be possible. Thank you.

  • @valtteri2897
    @valtteri2897 Рік тому

    Drank some Nyetimber with stake tartar and some chips. Next day went to buy a new bottle to my collection. Superb.

  • @Le_Trouvere
    @Le_Trouvere Рік тому

    have you tried any of the late Steven Spurrier's wines from his Bride Valley vineyard in Dorset, England?

  • @lucailari5487
    @lucailari5487 Рік тому

    You should try Trento doc vs champagne. Greate video btw

  • @jameswingad3212
    @jameswingad3212 Рік тому

    Delighted Nyetimber won the tasting! For possibly sentimental reasons I also love Bride Valley especially with creamy fish dishes like turbot hollandaise. Though I´m not exeactly neutral on this either...

  • @TheAJJW
    @TheAJJW Рік тому +1

    Would be very interested to hear your comments on Canadian wine . Specifically Ontario whites BC red. There some spectacular wines coming out of both regions now. Thanks

  • @ApothecaryTerry
    @ApothecaryTerry Рік тому +4

    As an English person living in England, you'd think our own wine would be cheaper but I'm pretty sure it's the most expensive. That said, I'll take a bottle of Aldwick Flying Pig over most French Pinot Noirs and that's very reasonably priced...would love to see that on the channel.
    I'm not surprised that the English wines won this test, it's just a shame that they seem to be the wine equivalent of Japanese whisky- good, but the prices have clearly overtaken the quality.

    • @welshtoro3256
      @welshtoro3256 6 місяців тому

      I love whisky and wine but I think the comparison with Japanese whisky and English wine isn't fair. As far as English wine is concerned it's expensive to produce and get to market at such a small scale. It has to carry a price to make it a viable business. Japanese whisky started to trend even before the old stock ran out. Japanese whisky is good but English sparkling wine is very good.

    • @ApothecaryTerry
      @ApothecaryTerry 6 місяців тому

      @@welshtoro3256 I'm not necessarily suggesting that English wine is expensive for the same reason, but it has the same issue that you can get similar quality for a *lot* less money elsewhere. I'd love to support local producers, but if a bottle of local wine costs literally twice as much as better wine from elsewhere...I'm just too pragmatic to get involved in that.

  • @bob7478
    @bob7478 Рік тому

    Had a Ridgeview Bloomsbury Brut a few months ago during dinner with friends. We all enjoyed it. Was my first time drinking an English sparkling wine. Price was $34.99 US.

  • @samirsajwani8807
    @samirsajwani8807 Рік тому

    Nice episode as usual
    English sparkling wins are very good I tasted Nyetimber but I prefer champagne

  • @adamg.manning6088
    @adamg.manning6088 Рік тому +1

    I’m actually delighted.
    I called which Rosé Champagne that was from sight alone.
    Of course it was a guess, but I had that funny feeling of “I recognise that colour…!”

  • @aboutmywine
    @aboutmywine Рік тому +1

    Bag 4? Right where you left it 😎

  • @Pandasteak77
    @Pandasteak77 7 місяців тому

    Hattingley - great

  • @danielyork3406
    @danielyork3406 10 місяців тому

    I saw bag number 4 earlier in one of your other videos.

  • @Talesofthegrape
    @Talesofthegrape 9 місяців тому

    I quite a few bottles of sparkling English wine in my collection. Camel Valley from Cornwall and Woodchester Valley from the Cotswolds are also great producers worth seeking out

  • @angusmcmillan8981
    @angusmcmillan8981 Рік тому +1

    Very interesting, thank you. For several years now I’ve felt that for the same price here in the UK English fizz is at least as good as Champagne. Appropriately for your choices, the two sparklers I buy most of are Pol Roger (Churchill’s favourite) and Nyetimber.

  • @mattfield5653
    @mattfield5653 Рік тому

    Great honest blind tasting with a surprising result.

  • @michaelwerfel2863
    @michaelwerfel2863 Рік тому +2

    Where is #4 could be a new mystery game. Like each week it visits a new region of wine growing and returns requiring you to guess grape, region and vintage?
    Or it could just be in the laundry room with every missing sock?

  • @58andyr
    @58andyr 11 місяців тому

    Pleased to see you do this! I've been promoting English sparkling wine for a while now. BUT, I still enjoy hunting out lesser known Champagne marques and on the whole find they can be better value for money still.

    • @welshtoro3256
      @welshtoro3256 6 місяців тому

      I'm with you on all of that. I'll also add that I really appreciate good quality Cava which is really flying under the radar right now. Some fantastic price/quality value stuff out there.

  • @12Trappor
    @12Trappor Рік тому

    No, haven't tried English sparkling yet but I have a bottle waiting to be opened in a few weeks. Corpinnat (Penedès) is another sparkling wine which I think can give champagne a run for its money.

  • @nigelgreenhalgh4316
    @nigelgreenhalgh4316 Рік тому

    Oh, yes, I love them. Just by the by, I got 4 out of 4 of the wines just by the colour. And Nyetimber has that fabulous apple character.

  • @sirclemeni1
    @sirclemeni1 Рік тому

    i would love to see the same format with prosecco docg metodo classico vs champagne. go for it leon! 😊

  • @robdielemans9189
    @robdielemans9189 Рік тому

    I've had English bubblies and they compare well with champagne, not only taste but budget as well. I recently discovered Alto Adige metodo classico wines and there you might get lucky and find bottles between 20-30 euros who surpass champagne at the same price level.

  • @loakland2773
    @loakland2773 Рік тому

    Enjoyed learning about English Sparkling and would you consider comparing US sparkling with Champagne. Might be interesting. Thank you for your great work and channel. Well done.

  • @solomonmengeu1003
    @solomonmengeu1003 Рік тому

    An interesting video, and as others noted it is always a great indicator of quality if a neutral third party endorses it. I haven't tried English sparkling wine due to cost and availability.
    Here in Taiwan/Asia it's still in the novelty category, which means that it is in the super premium category, price wise. It's even rarer and more expensive than champagne here; if I get the chance I will definitely taste it and see what it's like.

  • @johnd0e25
    @johnd0e25 Рік тому

    Sounds like I need to try them again, the last time I was a bit underwhelmed.

  • @PyroForEveryone
    @PyroForEveryone Рік тому +1

    FINALLY😍😍

  • @tonydeltablues
    @tonydeltablues Рік тому

    Very good, tre bien....entente cordiale between England and France? Are the French buying prime areas in England? Only yesterday, I overheard a conversation in pub about the rise of English sparkling wine and lo and behold you produced this video.
    Thanks, enjoyable.
    Tony

  • @rodjacobs3396
    @rodjacobs3396 Рік тому

    I think bag four might be out on the golf course. I hear people calling out to it a lot there.

  • @LadyAceRoxy
    @LadyAceRoxy Рік тому

    I haven’t tried English sparkling wine yet, but only because I can’t find it where I live in the USA! I’m continuing to search but might have to wait until I am visiting Europe in the summer to finally try it!

  • @DenisonBarracksPerimeterFence
    @DenisonBarracksPerimeterFence Рік тому +2

    Yes, an alternative but not a cheap alternative by any means. I guess I should be patriotic and try more English sparkling but there will I think always be something about the sense of occasion opening a bottle of champagne has.

  • @AShiga
    @AShiga Рік тому +1

    I've have a handful of English sparkling, some as good as champagne, some extremely acid (my teeth felt like cracking afterwards - and it was a 2014 vintage I had last year - Breaky Bottom).
    BTW I was in Catalunia last month and had some really amazing Corpinat, you should cover them some day...
    And you should cover Brazilian sparkling wine... I've said this a few times here in the comments LOL

    • @welshtoro3256
      @welshtoro3256 6 місяців тому

      Yes; Cava has a dodgy reputation but there is some superb stuff flying under the radar at great prices.

  • @Assterix
    @Assterix 11 місяців тому

    The climate in South England is nowadays the climate that used be located in Champagne couple of decades ago.

  • @artharrison9586
    @artharrison9586 Рік тому +1

    I know that it may seem absurd but I’m biased… I think you should try some of the wines from Canada’s Okanagan region. It’s a semi-arid part of British Columbia that has been producing wines for some time now and I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.

    • @richardcollins586
      @richardcollins586 7 місяців тому

      My local wine shop in London stocks Benjamin Bridge from Nova Scotia. Will try it out some time.

  • @MM-ov3ne
    @MM-ov3ne Рік тому

    Would be interested in the results if you did a comparison of prestige cuvées. Say Dom Perignon v NYE Timber 1086.

  • @chrisb481
    @chrisb481 Рік тому

    My favorite producer is Gusbourne. Hands down best value for money! 2015 Rose is my favorite so far.

  • @chrisdybowski4053
    @chrisdybowski4053 10 місяців тому

    Many times you mentioned that we can buy better quality wine for certain price range. Perhaps you could do video about your best wines in $10 price range, $15, $25, $50, $100, $300 and when somebody else is buying. You could do it for each wine variety. Obviously, we are interested in wines that are easy available in US or Europe.

  • @dawidvandermerwe9237
    @dawidvandermerwe9237 Рік тому

    You should have added South African cap classiques as well ;)

  • @gavinconvery-tr9fz
    @gavinconvery-tr9fz Рік тому

    My favourite ESW: anything by Dermot Sugrue….he is considered one of the best winemakers in England, Langham Corallian, Westwell Pelegrim, Gusborne and Rathfinny. Next try the still wines from Danbury Ridge 😀

  • @smkh2890
    @smkh2890 10 місяців тому

    How do the English wines compare with Italian wines like Prosecco or Spumante?
    That might be a fairer comparison.

  • @steffeeH
    @steffeeH Рік тому

    Now we gotta see a blindtasting with Champagne and Franciacorta!

  • @welshtoro3256
    @welshtoro3256 6 місяців тому

    It isn't just wine. I think no other country has embraced the good food and drink movement more than the U.K. I say this without the least bit of jingoism. My wife is Spanish and I love all things European. Modern U.K producers are real visionaries and serious about quality without any compromises. Local producers are completely committed to top quality that is unusual in other countries without State aid.

  • @Alexandru1996_
    @Alexandru1996_ Рік тому

    I realy hope champaign is realy better than what i get to drink here where i live. The local sparkling wine is not the best by a long stretch. Well, they make excelent sparkling wine. You sir could enjoy, if you want to taste someday, the sparkling wines from Cricova winery. Made in the Republic of Moldova

  • @marshalsea000
    @marshalsea000 Рік тому

    Loves it, love that you take it with grace when you're wrong, and the cheeky looks to camera.
    Love the Nyetimber too. Our normal reach for celebrations.
    Try the Hambleton, another English, very small producer but genuinely blew our socks off.

  • @rafaelsanchez7959
    @rafaelsanchez7959 Рік тому

    How about a video on Ports

  • @johnkitchen4699
    @johnkitchen4699 10 місяців тому

    Fascinating. However, Bernard Massard from Luxembourg is the king for me, and fantastic value if you can get it.