Tasting Notes
In blind sparkling wine tastings that I have hosted English Sparkling Wine has shocked participants who often vote it their favourite even when pitched against vintage and non-vintage champagne and 9 times out of 10 think it is champagne. Read more on the similarities between English Sparkling Wine and Champagne
I tasted a lot of English Sparkling Wines to find the right one for our portfolio - Lyme Bay Classic Cuvée made in Devon from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grown in Essex. The lovely 2013 is available as a one-bottle gift pack
This 2015 vintage sparkling wine does not disappoint. It is rich and mouth-filling and because it's still relatively young it has lovely fruity aromas and flavours - juicy red fruits and rosewater. The floral character comes from Pinot Noir, the majority grape in this wine (which it has in common with Bollinger). The flavours are complex - citrus and apple with slight hints of peach, honey and almond.
Made from champagne grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, that have been grown on similar soils to the Champagne region, this amazing sparkling wine is produced by the champagne method and could easily be mistaken for champagne. It is a little less biscuity than some champagnes because of its young age but the fruits and that lovely hint of roses make this a very elegant wine. This English Sparkling Wine should come with a warning; it is so delicious!
Food Pairing
Drink on its own, with canapés, smoked salmon and other oil fish like mackerel, caviar, shellfish including lobster, fish, chicken, turkey, mushrooms, truffles, parmesan cheese, sheep's cheese, mildly spiced South East Asian food, fruit based desserts
Producer's Notes
"The Classic Cuvée is a blend from the noble Champagne varieties Pinot Noir (81%) and Chardonnay (19%). The Classic Cuvée is an elegant sparkling wine, showing a depth of citrus and stone fruits flavours, along with the more complex secondary aromas of cooked apples, breadcrumbs, honey and almond.
APPEARANCE Delicate fine bubbles, golden colour with slight blush tint.
NOSE Underlying lemons, peach and apricot are accompanied by cooked apples, breadcrumbs, honey and almond.
PALATE Great depth and length, with crisp finesse and full-mouthfeel."
Awards
93 points Decanter Jan 2020 issue
"Toasty, broad red fruit driven aromas with notes of cherry, raspberry and apricot. Full of ripe fruit with good acidity and balance."
Gold Medal Independent English Wine Awards 2019
Silver Sommelier Wine Award 2019
"A lovely biscuit nose, with some blossom honey, leading to a fleshy, warm, toasty palate, with marmalade and violet, too, said team leader Jade Koch, while Alan Bednarski of Texture remarked on its delicate floral character, with iris, cherry blossom and a mix of ripe stone fruits"
