Latest news with #sparklingwine
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
The joy of Sussex: how English wine came of age
The best time to visit an English vineyard as a punter is right now (in my opinion, of course, but surely a personal column doesn't need that caveat every week). Hear me out: in winter, a vineyard is all gnarled wood and hard soil, which is an aesthetic I can get behind (no surprise there), but it's perhaps not the most evocative for drinkers who want a sense of place. Winter is a good time to visit as trade, mind, because the winemaker actually has time to think about their answers to your questions, rather than panicking about whether they should have waited to bring in the ortega. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Then there's summer: the grapes are hanging pregnant on the vine, it's sunny, it's sublime, but there's simply too much work to do. As a visitor, you always feel as if you're standing in the wrong place and you feel a bit guilty asking for a tour. But in late spring and early summer, there's a gentle hum of anticipation. Things are about to get started. Most British wineries are concentrated down south (sorry, fellow northerners), and one region in particular really pulls in the wine tourists: Sussex. It is, like most regions in the south of England, known for producing sparkling wine, and received a PDO (protected designation of origin) in 2022. To get the PDO, Sussex sparkling must be made in the traditional, champagne-style method, and it must also be approved by an accredited organisation that's part of the Food Standards Agency. OK, that's all good to know and everything, but where can I go to drink the stuff? England's largest single-estate organic wine producer, Oxney, is one of my favourites to visit, and it's the . It's all charred timber buildings and feels a lot more intimate than other, bigger operations nearby, and its sparkling non-vintage rosé is a perennial crowdpleaser (as, for that matter, are any of its vintage stuff, if you can get hold of it). There are vineyard cottages for larger group visits and a couple of shepherd's huts for couples. Rathfinny is another vineyard with charming rooms, and several places to eat/drink extremely well (it tends to be a bit windy, though, so pack a sensible windbreaker), while Stopham recently reopened its Saturday tasting tours with the winemaker. And though I haven't yet been myself, I've been told that Artelium is a real treat, and I really like their wines. Much the same goes for Wiston's lavish sparkling wines, and I definitely need to put faces to the names. Today's pick features a few Sussex wines to get you in the mood for a late-spring excursion. Yes, they're a fair bit spennier than my usual recommendations, but I've already explained the reasons behind the relative expense of English wine in an earlier column. Besides, things are often cheaper at the cellar door, which gives you one more reason to visit and support these English wineries directly. Nutbourne Vineyards Sussex Reserve 2022 £15.49 Grape Britannia, 12%. A peachy, fliny blend of Germanic varieties and pinot noir. Artelium Pinot Noir 2023 £28 Artelium, 12%. England produces some actually good red wines! And this one is bright and aromatic. Oxney Organic Estate NV Brut Rosé £28 Waitrose, 11.5%. Orchard fruit, strawberry patisserie – and a snip compared with champagne Wiston Estate Rosé £38 Wiston Estate, 12%. Generous pink sparkling with seasonal English fruit and great acidity
News24
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News24
Sparkle, sophistication, and celebration at the Johannesburg Cap Classique Champagne & Bubbles Festival 2025
SPONSORED: J.C. Le Roux is South Africa's original home of sparkling wine and the proud headline sponsor of this year's event – and they did not disappoint Last weekend, on 24 and 25 May, J.C. Le Roux showcased the elegance of their flagship Cap Classique Scintilla at the Inanda Polo Club, where the Johannesburg Cap Classique Champagne & Bubbles Festival took place. It was a fully immersive experience that blended refining toasting traditions with celebratory energy and curated tasting moments. From the moment guests arrived at the J.C. Le Roux stand they were invited to reflect on what they were celebrating, whether it was a win, a shift, or simply showing up. Guests could choose from a series of sentiment-driven ribbons as they entered, each one a nod to one of the million reasons South Africans raise a glass in toast today. Then the celebration unfolded into special moments that captured the spirit of J.C. Le Roux's legacy, one that is proudly rooted in Stellenbosch yet made for every corner of the country. 'J.C. Le Roux champions sparkling wine in every form, from elegant rituals to vibrant experiences. At this year's festival, J.C. Le Roux's fully immersive sparkling wine showcase was designed to turn every moment into both a memory and a celebration,' says Siphokazi Solani, BTL Brand & Events Executive for the Wines Category at Heineken Beverages South Africa. Guests enjoyed personalised sparkling wine tastings led by passionate pourers, each designed to showcase the variety, flavour, and character of J.C. Le Roux's popular range. These tastings were accompanied by fascinating insights into the Cap Classique method, which J.C. Le Roux has made proudly local with its Scintilla variant. Festivalgoers also had the opportunity to be introduced to the art of the pour – from tilting the glass at just the right angle to preserve the bubbles, to holding the stem correctly, ensuring the wine remains perfectly chilled. These small touches transformed every J.C. Le Roux tasting into a celebration of craft and care, reinforcing J.C. Le Roux's belief that every moment deserves to be celebrated. The Sparkle Mirror In addition to its signature flavours, J.C. Le Roux brought its signature flair. The brand's beautifully designed 'Sparkle Mirror' installation offered a chance to capture the celebration in slow motion, with lights and music enhancing every frame. Guests could unwind in the floral-themed photo lounge, an inviting space to sip, snap, and savour with friends. With movements as light and playful as the bubbles in J.C. Le Roux, the dancers added a touch of sparkling fun from 13:00 to 15:00, daily. These pop-up performances reflected the soul of the brand – joyful, expressive, and always ready to celebrate. The theme for this year's festival, Sophisticated Floral Chic, found a natural home in J.C. Le Roux's elegant aesthetic. Every detail, from glassware to décor, had been considered to elevate the guest experience and deliver something both polished and personal. The Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival 2025 delivered an unforgettable weekend of elegance, energy, and effervescence and J.C. Le Roux was at the heart of it all. From the personal celebration ribbons to the artful tastings and personalised flutes, every element of the brand's presence brought its core belief to life: that every moment deserves bubbles. As guests toasted under winter skies, danced alongside the J.C. Le Roux queens and captured their sparkle in the Magic Mirror lounge, J.C. Le Roux reaffirmed its place not just as South Africa's leading sparkling wine, but as a curator of joyful, meaningful celebration. Follow J.C. Le Roux for updates and more:
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Countryfile star reveals UK's best hidden gems from stunning vineyards that beat France to the pretty secret beaches
MATT Baker has unearthed undiscovered gems on his journey around the British Isles. For his new TV series, Matt Baker's British Isles, the Countryfile star finds beautiful beaches on the Northern Irish coastline and reveals he's found tasty sparkling wine at a Champagne-worthy vineyard in Kent. 6 6 On his journey across the UK to see what makes the country tick, Matt heads to the Domaine Evremond vineyard. The Taittinger family, who own the vineyard, have teamed up with one of the world's most prestigious champagne houses to realise a dream of making the first true Anglo-French sparkling wine - and it worked. When Sun Travel asked Matt whether it tasted similar to Champagne he responded: "It's the same. The only reason you can't call it Champagne is because it's not grown in the Champagne region. "It's so good, I'd go as far as saying it was the most beautiful sparkling wine that I've ever tasted. "It has its roots, literally, in Britain, but it's got that taste that is so familiar with high-end sparkling wine, and it's grown right here in Kent." The reason Kent is renowned for its English vineyards is the climate and soil, which are well-suited for growing grapes that produce high-quality wine. Matt explained that Domaine Evremond has all the same qualities as vineyards in the Champagne region The vineyard produces a sparkling wine called Classic Cuvée, which is made in a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes. You can go to the vineyard yourself and book a tasting and follow in Matt's footsteps by taking a tour from just £25. During the four-episode series, Matt heads over to Wales, up to Scotland, but one of his most memorable stops was in Northern Ireland. Countryfile star bags brand new role worlds away from hit BBC farming series 6 Matt goes up to Northern Ireland's most northerly tip to meet the McKinley family, where for generations, they've run Sheans Horse Farm. It's based in the hills of North Antrim which has incredible views across the coastline. Matt told us: "Oh my gosh, the Antrim coast is just breathtaking. "The landscape is used for Game of Thrones now, that's filmed over there because the landscape is so jaw-dropping. "We went horse riding across the cliff tops. When you look down, you see all these beautiful little coves that you wouldn't even know were there." He added: "It's such a beautiful way to travel, on horseback, especially if you want to do a bit of nature spotting because all the wildlife comes out to see what's going on." 6 6 Stand-out beaches on the Antrim coast are the sandy shores of Benone Strand and Portrush's East and West Strands. There's also others, like White Park Bay and Ballycastle Beach. Another area of the Northern Irish coastline that Matt explores is Kilkeel Harbour where he met the country's only female harbourmaster - and enjoyed the landscape too. Matt said: "It's a big, beautiful, wonderful, welcoming community, and when I went it was a beautiful day. "We sat there sitting having fish and chips there and just being chatting with the locals - it was great." For anyone wanting to see parts of the British Isles they wouldn't usually get a look at, Matt has everyone covered. Wales, Northern Ireland, England. "We visit all of those nations throughout the episodes - we've amalgamated it all into the ultimate celebration of the British Isles." And the British Isle that gets summer weather before the mainland. Watch Matt Baker's British Isles on Tuesdays at 9pm on More4. 6
Forbes
24-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
National Prosecco Week Is Here: Here's What To Drink
Waiter serving a glass of sparkling white wine Prosecco may be Italy's most joyful export—bubbly, bright, and effortlessly charming—but don't let its easygoing nature fool you. Behind the fizz is a category rich in history, layered with tradition, and increasingly serious about quality. Just in time for National Prosecco Week (June 24–30), the Prosecco DOC Consortium is raising awareness for this beloved wine through in-store promotions, restaurant events, and tastings across the U.S., including a recent Raleigh, North Carolina event hosted by Master of Wine Sheri Morano. Speaking to a room of sommeliers, writers, and retailers during the trade and media tasting, Morano offered both an education and an enthusiastic endorsement. 'People think they know Prosecco because they've had a spritz,' she said. 'But there's so much more to explore in terms of history, production, and expression.' A sparkling wine bottle sits on a table next to filled wine glasses and an ice bucket. Prosecco's roots stretch back nearly two millennia. The Roman author Pliny the Elder praised wines from the northeastern corner of modern-day Italy in 77 A.D., specifically those from the village of Puccino, which many historians consider the ancestral home of Prosecco. By the 16th century, the wine's name begins to appear in written records (with the slightly clunkier spelling 'Proseccho'), and by the 18th century, the Prosecco we know today was fully in development. Yet the sparkling style itself didn't become dominant until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when innovations like the Charmat method (also known as the Martinotti method) allowed for efficient, large-scale production of fresh, aromatic sparkling wines. Compared to Champagne's labor-intensive, bottle-fermented style, Prosecco's secondary fermentation happens in pressurized stainless steel tanks, which helps preserve delicate floral and fruit aromatics. Waiter pouring prosecco from bottle in glasses Today, for a wine to bear the name Prosecco DOC, it must come from a protected region stretching across nine provinces in Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, and be made primarily from the Glera grape (formerly referred to simply as the Prosecco grape). Most bottlings are 100% Glera, though up to 15% of other native and international grapes (like Verdiso, Perera, Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir) may be used. Prosecco DOC wines are categorized by sweetness levels (Brut, Extra Dry, Dry) and by color—since 2020, Prosecco Rosé DOC has been an official category, made with a minimum of 85% Glera and 10–15% Pinot Noir. 'It was a logical move,' said Morano. 'Over half the growers were already making rosé sparkling wines—they just couldn't call them Prosecco.' The resulting wines range from bone-dry and structured to fruity, floral, and slightly sweet. What unites them is freshness, a gentle sparkle, and food-friendly acidity—qualities that make Prosecco both versatile and endlessly drinkable. A founding house in the modern Prosecco movement, Mionetto was established in 1887 and remains one of the category's most recognizable producers. Their classic Brut expression showcases 100% Glera and clocks in at 12 g/L residual sugar—right at the top end of the Brut scale. Tasting notes: Green apple, pear, lemon zest, and a bright pop of acidity. Crisp, dry, and classically styled. Produced by a cooperative of over 570 growers, this wine blends Glera with a touch of local varietals. Slightly sweeter and more rounded than the Mionetto, it's a textbook example of the Extra Dry style that once defined the Prosecco category. Tasting notes: Juicy pear, white peach, and a soft, floral finish. Friendly and generous on the palate. Arguably one of Prosecco's biggest U.S. success stories, La Marca represents over 5,000 growers and offers wide accessibility without sacrificing quality. With 17 g/L residual sugar, this wine leans into ripe fruit and crowd-pleasing charm. Tasting notes: White flowers, green apple, and soft honeyed pear. Slightly sweet, balanced by gentle bubbles and bright acidity. This elegant rosé is crafted from 90% Glera and 10% Pinot Noir, fermented separately and blended prior to secondary fermentation. It undergoes a cold soak for enhanced aromatics and freshness. Tasting notes: Cranberry, pomegranate, raspberry leaf. Dry and zippy, with a clean mineral finish. True to its name ('the joyous one'), La Gioiosa is all about celebration—and fitness, apparently. The winery even offers a vineyard gym. Their rosé is pale, pretty, and subtly floral, with just enough sweetness to feel indulgent. Tasting notes: Wild strawberry, rosewater, cherry blossom. Silky mousse, soft finish. Named after one of Verona's oldest noble families, this 85/15 blend of Glera and Pinot Noir leans into red berry charm with a whisper of sweetness. Tasting notes: Strawberry pastry, fresh raspberry, and a creamy bubble texture. Balanced and softly aromatic. A waiter is pouring prosecco into glasses at the restaurant. High end luxury restaurant. Now in its sixth year, National Prosecco Week isn't just an excuse to pour another glass—it's a reflection of how far the category has come. Once dismissed as the lighter, simpler cousin to Champagne, Prosecco has carved out its own place in the wine world, thanks to its food-friendly style, range of expressions, and growing regional protections. For producers and importers, the week is a chance to tell Prosecco's story more fully—beyond the brunch table and spritz glass. And for consumers, it's a reminder that behind the bubbles is a complex, evolving region with deep historical roots and increasing attention to sustainability and site. 'There's more here than people expect,' Morano said. 'Prosecco isn't just a style of wine—it's a place, a grape, and a community.' Whether you're diving into the DOC Rosé category for the first time or rediscovering a classic Brut, National Prosecco Week offers a reason to explore with a little more intention—and maybe a little less orange juice.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
The best bubbles for the bank holiday – including a new £7 winner at Asda
If you've been shopping for fizz recently, you will have noticed newcomers among all the prosecco and crémant. A lot of newcomers. In the past few weeks, I've tasted sparkling vermentino from Australia's Strathbogie Ranges, fizz from Argentina's Famatina Valley, and bubbles from the shores of Lake Garda, to name a few. As a committed crémant drinker, I've approached these newer sparkling wines with suspicion bordering on hostility. It's clear why they are here. Sales of crémant continue to soar: up by 19 per cent in Waitrose compared to the same time last year. And sparkling wine generally is so wildly popular that producers all over the world are keenly pivoting towards it, while supermarket buyers seek variety as well as cheaper alternatives to plug holes in their ranges as the price of crémant rises alongside demand. Of course, I love tasting new wines. There's always a thrill to finding out what lies underneath the cork. But novelty for novelty's sake is not at all alluring. Any type of wine has to prove its worth to make it into my fridge – or my list of recommendations. So I'm pleased to report that some of the new sparkling wines are actually rather good, particularly if you're shopping on a budget. Skip to: The best crémants The best alternative bubbles A word about crémant first, because the choice on the shelves has proliferated in the past year or two, making it more interesting but also more complex to navigate. If you've yet to try it, my hot tip is crémant d'Alsace. I've long loved crémants from the Loire and Limoux, as well as Burgundy and Bordeaux, but crémant d'Alsace is now in most supermarkets, from Asda to Waitrose, and it's delicious. With crémant, each region has its own range of permitted grape varieties. In Alsace, these varieties include pinot blanc, riesling and pinot gris. The blends (and therefore the wines) vary a lot but pinot blanc and riesling bring compelling freshness, while pinot gris brings subtle florals; think meadow flowers rather than highly scented freesia.
