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"English Wine Just Gets Better and Better" My English Wine Recommendations | This England

Fancy a wine adventure without having to get on a plane? The English wine scene is positively shining right now. Thanks to the warm, dry conditions of this past summer, the outlook for our home-grown vintages has never looked more promising.

In my latest quarterly wine column for This England (Winter 2025), I share my top English sparkling wine picks to bring a little brightness to winter evenings. From the long-awaited debut of Domaine Evremond – a landmark release backed by the Taittinger family – to the consistently elegant Ridgeview Bloomsbury, there truly is a bottle to suit every palate and budget.

In the Winter issue of This England, you’ll discover:

  • Which English sparkling wines offer the best value for money

  • Where to buy top-rated English fizz

  • The best English sparkling wines for winter celebrations

  • Whether high-quality English sparkling wine can be found in supermarkets

  • How last summer’s weather has shaped the upcoming vintage

  • How the 2025 harvest compares to the legendary 2018 crop

  • Why French Champagne houses are increasingly investing in British soil

Available in-store and online.

Subscribe via http://classicmagazines.co.uk/this-england This England Spring 2026 issue – Coming soon.

For more wine stories, recommendations and insights, follow @elizabethwinegirl on Instagram


Elizabeth x

Here is the full text from the article screenshots, organized into a single blog post format: ENGLISH WINES Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite shares her recommendations for brilliant English wines to enjoy this winter – from sparkling stars to supermarket favourites and hidden gems. ENGLISH wine just gets better and better. This summer’s warm, dry conditions have set the stage for a standout vintage and while we won’t be tasting the 2025 wines for a couple of years, all signs point to something special. What’s even more exciting in the UK wine scene is the evolution beyond the classic Champagne trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Talented winemakers are planting new varieties, from Albariño to Pinot Gris, and producing expressive still wines as well as sparkling. With more growers entering the scene, land being snapped up, and French houses investing in our soils, there’s never been a better time to explore what English wine has to offer. From sparkling to still, and some supermarket stars, here are my winter wine recommendations… FANCY A WINE ADVENTURE WITHOUT HAVING TO GET ON A PLANE? Then visit an English vineyard! Here are three to put on your wish list: Domaine Evremond, newly opened to the public from April 2025, is an exquisite, state-of-the-art estate that looks like it belongs in Champagne. The cellars are truly extraordinary. Ridgeview is a long-standing favourite just outside London. Their cellar door is welcoming, the wines are excellent, and they’ve recently added a large outdoor tent and benches – ideal for relaxed, alfresco lunches when it isn’t raining. Wiston Estate. The estate’s Chalk restaurant is a must-visit, offering beautifully curated food and wine pairings using produce from their walled garden. They even have a charming onsite cottage you can stay in. SPARKLING STARS Louis Pommery, England Produced at Pinglott’s Vineyard in Kent, Louis Pommery England is the first sparkling wine from Champagne house Vranken-Pommery Monopole. Fresh and vibrant, this wine balances citrus fruit, fine bubbles and gentle creaminess. A playful and elegant bottle which is perfect for celebrations. Louis Pommery England, £30, widely available Domaine Evremond, Kent Launched in spring 2025, Domaine Evremond is the long-awaited English project from Champagne Taittinger. Set across 250 acres of former orchard in Kent. This classic cuvée reflects the Kentish terroir with its chalk soils and ocean influence – creating a wine that is focused, precise, fresh and driven by minerality from those cooling coastal winds. Fermented and matured entirely in stainless steel, the wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation to soften its edges while preserving a crisp, reductive style. Bright, refined and elegant, it’s delicious and well worth the decade of investment. This is a landmark release for English sparkling – and one to watch closely. Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée, £35, majestic.co.uk Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV, Sussex Arguably the most affordable English sparkling that doesn’t compromise on quality. Ridgeview has become a benchmark for its approachable style and brilliant value. Expect lemon zest, peach and lemongrass – this is a great aperitif. It’s also a true family story. Ridgeview was founded by Mike and Chris Roberts in 1995, and today their daughter Tamara Roberts leads the estate as CEO and is one of the most influential female figures in English wine. Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV, £28, Waitrose Roebuck Estates Classic Cuvée 2018, Sussex A rich, rounded sparkling wine with notes of citrus, baked apple and a toasty finish. Extended lees ageing (minimum 48 months) brings real depth and structure. I love this style of wine, slightly more baked. For me, this is close to the Champagne styles I like such as Krug. A glass of this with crab on toast is heaven. Roebuck Estates was founded in 2013 by friends Mike Smith and John Ball, with fruit sourced exclusively from their estate-owned vineyards across Sussex. The Classic Cuvée is crafted using hand-harvested grapes, partial fermentation in old Burgundian oak, and lengthy bottle ageing to achieve complexity and finesse. Roebuck Estates Classic Cuvée 2018, £38, roebuckestates.co.uk Wiston NV Rosé Brut, West Sussex This rosé is giving rhubarb, hibiscus and red tart fruits – it’s really elegant and goes perfectly with dishes like scallops in lemon butter. Wiston is a family-run estate located on South Downs chalk, with deep winemaking roots that trace back to Pip Goring, who grew up in South Africa surrounded by vineyards. Her vision for planting vines at Wiston laid the foundation for what it is today, with a focus on sustainability and quality. Winemaker Marcus Rayner-Ward now works biodynamically with his wife Megan, producing fine English sparkling wines – and they have a library collection of wines. Wiston NV Rosé Brut, £29.99, Waitrose Camel Valley Brut Rosé, Cornwall Camel Valley, set in the Cornish hills, has been family-run since 1989, when ex-RAF pilot Bob Lindo and his wife Annie planted their first vines and has been producing award-winning fizz since the late 1980s. Today, their son Sam Lindo is head winemaker. Their Brut Rosé is excellent – strawberries, cranberry, floral and expressive. Camel Valley Brut Rosé, £36.95, camelvalley.com SUPERMARKET STARS Rockferne English Sparkling, M&S I’ll tell you a secret – this is actually made by Roebuck Estate – so it’s excellent value and beautifully balanced. Rockferne Sparkling Wine is expertly crafted in England from a harmonious blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Pale lemon in colour, it features notes of baked apples and ripe peach layered with a hint of honey. It pairs well with seafood, canapés, chicken, and cheese. Delicious and well priced – definitely a great choice for your Christmas wine list! Rockferne English Sparkling, £29, M&S STILL SHOWSTOPPERS Balfour Albariño 2023, Kent The first release of Albariño from Balfour – zesty, salty, citrus-charged. Balfour was founded by Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn at Hush Heath Estate in 2002 and has become one of Kent’s most dynamic producers. Balfour Albariño 2023, £18.99, majestic.co.uk Lyme Bay Pinot Noir, Devon English Pinot is a challenge, but Lyme Bay shows how well it can be done. This is one of the finest I have sampled, expect it to be light and elegant with red cherries and light spices while silky and vibrant too. Lyme Bay Pinot Noir 2022, £25, lymebaywinery.co.uk Forty Hall Ortega, Enfield A genuine one of a kind: this is a community vineyard in north London producing organic wines on 10 acres tended by volunteers. Ortega is a German crossing of Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe grapes – German wines are aromatic and thrive in England. Look for stone fruits, it’s very aromatic and floral. What makes Forty Hall special is its purpose. As London’s only commercial-scale vineyard, it is run as a not-for-profit social enterprise, supporting community wellbeing and mental health alongside winemaking. Their wines are made in partnership with award-winning consultant Will Davenport, ensuring quality as well as heart. Forty Hall Ortega, £18, fortyhallvineyard.com
Here is the full text from the article screenshots, organized into a single blog post format: ENGLISH WINES Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite shares her recommendations for brilliant English wines to enjoy this winter – from sparkling stars to supermarket favourites and hidden gems. ENGLISH wine just gets better and better. This summer’s warm, dry conditions have set the stage for a standout vintage and while we won’t be tasting the 2025 wines for a couple of years, all signs point to something special. What’s even more exciting in the UK wine scene is the evolution beyond the classic Champagne trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Talented winemakers are planting new varieties, from Albariño to Pinot Gris, and producing expressive still wines as well as sparkling. With more growers entering the scene, land being snapped up, and French houses investing in our soils, there’s never been a better time to explore what English wine has to offer. From sparkling to still, and some supermarket stars, here are my winter wine recommendations… FANCY A WINE ADVENTURE WITHOUT HAVING TO GET ON A PLANE? Then visit an English vineyard! Here are three to put on your wish list: Domaine Evremond, newly opened to the public from April 2025, is an exquisite, state-of-the-art estate that looks like it belongs in Champagne. The cellars are truly extraordinary. Ridgeview is a long-standing favourite just outside London. Their cellar door is welcoming, the wines are excellent, and they’ve recently added a large outdoor tent and benches – ideal for relaxed, alfresco lunches when it isn’t raining. Wiston Estate. The estate’s Chalk restaurant is a must-visit, offering beautifully curated food and wine pairings using produce from their walled garden. They even have a charming onsite cottage you can stay in. SPARKLING STARS Louis Pommery, England Produced at Pinglott’s Vineyard in Kent, Louis Pommery England is the first sparkling wine from Champagne house Vranken-Pommery Monopole. Fresh and vibrant, this wine balances citrus fruit, fine bubbles and gentle creaminess. A playful and elegant bottle which is perfect for celebrations. Louis Pommery England, £30, widely available Domaine Evremond, Kent Launched in spring 2025, Domaine Evremond is the long-awaited English project from Champagne Taittinger. Set across 250 acres of former orchard in Kent. This classic cuvée reflects the Kentish terroir with its chalk soils and ocean influence – creating a wine that is focused, precise, fresh and driven by minerality from those cooling coastal winds. Fermented and matured entirely in stainless steel, the wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation to soften its edges while preserving a crisp, reductive style. Bright, refined and elegant, it’s delicious and well worth the decade of investment. This is a landmark release for English sparkling – and one to watch closely. Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée, £35, majestic.co.uk Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV, Sussex Arguably the most affordable English sparkling that doesn’t compromise on quality. Ridgeview has become a benchmark for its approachable style and brilliant value. Expect lemon zest, peach and lemongrass – this is a great aperitif. It’s also a true family story. Ridgeview was founded by Mike and Chris Roberts in 1995, and today their daughter Tamara Roberts leads the estate as CEO and is one of the most influential female figures in English wine. Ridgeview Bloomsbury NV, £28, Waitrose Roebuck Estates Classic Cuvée 2018, Sussex A rich, rounded sparkling wine with notes of citrus, baked apple and a toasty finish. Extended lees ageing (minimum 48 months) brings real depth and structure. I love this style of wine, slightly more baked. For me, this is close to the Champagne styles I like such as Krug. A glass of this with crab on toast is heaven. Roebuck Estates was founded in 2013 by friends Mike Smith and John Ball, with fruit sourced exclusively from their estate-owned vineyards across Sussex. The Classic Cuvée is crafted using hand-harvested grapes, partial fermentation in old Burgundian oak, and lengthy bottle ageing to achieve complexity and finesse. Roebuck Estates Classic Cuvée 2018, £38, roebuckestates.co.uk Wiston NV Rosé Brut, West Sussex This rosé is giving rhubarb, hibiscus and red tart fruits – it’s really elegant and goes perfectly with dishes like scallops in lemon butter. Wiston is a family-run estate located on South Downs chalk, with deep winemaking roots that trace back to Pip Goring, who grew up in South Africa surrounded by vineyards. Her vision for planting vines at Wiston laid the foundation for what it is today, with a focus on sustainability and quality. Winemaker Marcus Rayner-Ward now works biodynamically with his wife Megan, producing fine English sparkling wines – and they have a library collection of wines. Wiston NV Rosé Brut, £29.99, Waitrose Camel Valley Brut Rosé, Cornwall Camel Valley, set in the Cornish hills, has been family-run since 1989, when ex-RAF pilot Bob Lindo and his wife Annie planted their first vines and has been producing award-winning fizz since the late 1980s. Today, their son Sam Lindo is head winemaker. Their Brut Rosé is excellent – strawberries, cranberry, floral and expressive. Camel Valley Brut Rosé, £36.95, camelvalley.com SUPERMARKET STARS Rockferne English Sparkling, M&S I’ll tell you a secret – this is actually made by Roebuck Estate – so it’s excellent value and beautifully balanced. Rockferne Sparkling Wine is expertly crafted in England from a harmonious blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Pale lemon in colour, it features notes of baked apples and ripe peach layered with a hint of honey. It pairs well with seafood, canapés, chicken, and cheese. Delicious and well priced – definitely a great choice for your Christmas wine list! Rockferne English Sparkling, £29, M&S STILL SHOWSTOPPERS Balfour Albariño 2023, Kent The first release of Albariño from Balfour – zesty, salty, citrus-charged. Balfour was founded by Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn at Hush Heath Estate in 2002 and has become one of Kent’s most dynamic producers. Balfour Albariño 2023, £18.99, majestic.co.uk Lyme Bay Pinot Noir, Devon English Pinot is a challenge, but Lyme Bay shows how well it can be done. This is one of the finest I have sampled, expect it to be light and elegant with red cherries and light spices while silky and vibrant too. Lyme Bay Pinot Noir 2022, £25, lymebaywinery.co.uk Forty Hall Ortega, Enfield A genuine one of a kind: this is a community vineyard in north London producing organic wines on 10 acres tended by volunteers. Ortega is a German crossing of Müller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe grapes – German wines are aromatic and thrive in England. Look for stone fruits, it’s very aromatic and floral. What makes Forty Hall special is its purpose. As London’s only commercial-scale vineyard, it is run as a not-for-profit social enterprise, supporting community wellbeing and mental health alongside winemaking. Their wines are made in partnership with award-winning consultant Will Davenport, ensuring quality as well as heart. Forty Hall Ortega, £18, fortyhallvineyard.com


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