Published: Inside Farnham, November 2022
English Sparkling is at a truly exciting turning point and incredible producers across the UK are only just beginning to unleash its potential. We’re lucky enough in Farnham to be surrounded by some of the best and brightest, so, this Christmas, why not head down to one of your local vineyards to pick up a bottle or two? Here’s my pick of a few of the top Surrey & Hampshire-based bubbles to toast with friends and family:
Albury Vineyard
Double Gold Award-Winning Blanc de Noirs
Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, with aromas of strawberries and cocoa. It’s a crisp, balanced wine that's aged for over 30 months on lees. Perfect for matching with a smoked salmon canapé for a Christmas day treat.
RRP £38.95 ABV 12% 75cl
Available: Alburyvineyard.com
Hattingley Vineyard
Rosé 2019
Blended with 58% Pinot Noir, 38% Pinot Meunier and 4% Pinot Précoce, this delicate sparkling rosé is a beautiful pale, pink colour with fruity notes of strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate aromas and a creamy texture. It’s a playful option for festive celebrations and ideal alongside a cranberry pavlova with a hefty dollop of cream.
RRP £38 ABV 12% 75cl
Available: Hattingleyvalley.com
Greyfriars Vineyard
2016 Cuvée Royale
Aged in the chalk cellars for four years, this balanced wine boasts notes of freshly baked pastry on the nose and cooked apples on the palate. 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, there are only 3,400 bottles of this special release available.
RRP £34.99 ABV 12% 75cl
Available: Greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk
And if you’re on the hunt for a little more wine education, the lovely team at The Wine Yard in Farnham will be running one of their brilliant tastings on Monday 19th December, all around sparkling wine for Christmas. Tickets £25 per person. Book in-store, The Wine Yard, Lion & Lamb Yard, Farnham.
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