British Bubbly
British sparkling wine has been getting a lot of attention in recent years for a couple of reasons:
It’s really good.
The cooler climate in the UK is especially attractive, with climate change warming up the Champagne region, making the grapes in France riper and sweeter than they used to be.
Did I mention it’s really good?
This Bride Valley sparkling wine, that I recently picked up from the good folks at lastbubbles.com, is a beautiful example of British bubbly. Champagne method, classic Champagne blend: 50% Chardonnay, 39% Pinot Noir, 11% Pinot Meunier. It has fine bubbles, some toasty aromas, and a fabulous flavor combo of tart apple, creaminess, with just a touch of salt.
Fun Fact: The founder of Bride Valley, Steven Spurrier, was the mastermind behind the 1976 Judgement of Paris. In this legendary blind tasting, two wines from Napa Valley took the top spots over their French competitors, putting California wines on the map!
Wine Enthusiast gives this 2017 Bride Valley 96 points, adding that it’s bone-dry with exceptional freshness. I enthusiastically agree!
An elegant choice for $49/bottle.
