The Summer Of English Sparkling Wines

Largely consumed domestically, English sparkling wines are increasingly available in Singapore and pouring at a restaurant near you. We explore the rise of this new wine region.

- Nimmi Malhotra

GUSBOURNE BLANC DE BLANCS 2016

Grapes: Chardonnay Taste: Based in Appledore, Kent, the historic estate craft only vintage wines with 100% Estate grown grapes. Lively ripe citrus fruit, nectarines, and white summer flowers. The palate brings forth the lemon, stone fruit, a hint of toast and hazelnuts, and the acidity rounds off with the low dosage. Aged for 42 months, the finish is long and juicy. $114

RIDGEVIEW BLANC DE BLANCS 2015

Grapes: Chardonnay Taste: Ridgeview is led by the second generation of the Roberts family. Tropical notes of pineapple and lychee waft through on the nose. An elegant and delicate mousse fills the palate with bright lemon zest notes. It lingers with bright acidity and saline minerality. $140

NYETIMBER CLASSIC CUVEE MULTI-VINTAGE

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay Taste: The first Estate to ever produce sparkling wine in England. Pale gold with fine bubbles, with apples, brioche, and spice, this is the flagship cuvée with 20-35% reserve wines. Aged over three years on lees, the mousse is elegant, and the finish carries the freshness through. $98

It took a fair bit of convincing and the “best of British luck” for Vinodhan Veloo, ex-sommelier at Odette, to place an English sparkling wine on the hallowed Champagne trolley of the three-Michelin-starred French restaurant.

As Vinodhan (now of Cloudstreet) remembers, “Being a French restaurant, there was a little bit of a pushback.” But his belief in the quality and potential of Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2010 won some sceptics over, with his British boss helping him tip the scales. It was the only non-Champagne wine to have ever made it to the trolley.