Drink English Sparkling Wine before you die! Why?
Believe it or not, the English invented sparkling wine. It's your duty!
England has probably done more to shape the modern wine world than any other country on the planet, so it’s great to see the English now have one of their own wines that is world class. And, that this world class wine they have given us is sparkling is fitting indeed. They are the ones, after all, that developed the method for making sparkling wines. And are credited for being the ones who first (intentionally) made Champagne sparkle.
Using their knowledge gained from cider production and their superior bottle making, English wine merchants would buy barrels of still (that's non-sparkling) Champagne and then referment it in bottle to give it its effervescence. The country now boasts multiple producers of top quality sparkling wine that is snapping at the heels of Champagne. Some Champagne producers have even set up production across the channel. Being relatively new, the English producers don't have the depth or volume of reserve wine that the Champagne houses have to add depth and complexity to their non-vintage offerings, but are still very impressive.
Given the small production and high domestic demand, it’s not always the easiest wine to find. But, given what this tiny little nation has contributed to the wine world as we know it today there’s almost a sense of duty to try some English wine.
