Impress with English Sparkling Rosé this Valentine's

If there’s one day to embrace sparkling rosé wine, it’s Valentine’s day, and what better way to show your partner you love them than to pop open a bottle of crisp, home-grown English sparkling rosé?

It may sound clichéd, but these wines are just perfect for setting the mood for romance, with alluring pink hues and intoxicating aromas of precise red berry fruits. I’ve put together a selection of six of my favourites, which not only deliver irresistible flavour sensations but also come dressed to impress with branding that is sure to turn a few eyes.

Gusbourne Rosé 2015

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Chardonnay
Region: Kent

This delectable rosé from Gusbourne in Kent oozes appeal from every viewpoint. It’s a classic Champagne grape blend of 54% Pinot Noir, 32% Pinot Meunier and 14% Chardonnay – it’s also one of the sexiest bottles of English sparkling on the market right now.

The Gusbourne Rosé tempts with aromas of wild red berries, citrus peel and light pastry notes. To taste, it’s all about the precise and focussed raspberry, cherry and cranberry flavours. It’s so immaculate and classy, complemented by hints of mineral and strawberry shortbread complexity.

Hattingley Valley Rosé 2015

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Pinot Précoce
Region: Hampshire

This latest vintage of Hattingley Valley’s Rosé is one of their best wines to date. It’s made from 100% red grapes: a blend of Pinot Noir 85%, Pinot Meunier 13% and Pinot Précoce 2%. Hattingley is located in Alresford in the heart of Hampshire, one of the most exciting regions for English sparkling wine.

With its attractive, pale Provence rosé colour, the Hattingley has a pretty nose of raspberry and cherry blossom, with citrus peel and a hint of brioche. To taste, there’s a flutter of pink grapefruit and tangy cranberry upfront, softening to riper red cherries and hints of creaminess.

Nyetimber Rosé MV

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Chardonnay
Region: Sussex

The classics never go out of style, and this Nyetimber Rosé just gets better and better. This is the only Non-Vintage rosé included in this feature, with the Sussex producer blending a 2014 base vintage with a portion of 2013 reserve wines.

The Nyetimber has got a little more colour than many English rosés (see the photo to the right), and its confident character matches that. A citrus-led bite and tangy cranberry grab your attention, while ripe strawberries and a light creaminess add a welcoming weight. Superbly structured, and effortlessly enjoyable.

Wiston Estate Rosé 2014

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Chardonnay
Region: Sussex

For a rosé absolutely packed full of character and charm, this 2014 vintage Wiston Estate from renowned winemaker Dermot Sugrue, is a surefire hit. It’s made of predominantly red grapes, with a little Chardonnay, and is immensely food-friendly.

The Wiston Rosé tempts you in with alluring pink salmon hues and aromas of spiced winter berries and orange peel. To taste, it’s the striking depth of this wine that stands out. It’s so captivating: ripe cherry and raspberry with a real ‘fruits of the forest’ richness and distinctive winter spice notes.

Harrow & Hope Brut Rosé 2015

Grapes: Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
Region: Buckinghamshire

Very much a family enterprise, Henry Laithwaite and his wife Kaye make consistently superb sparkling wines in The Chiltern Hills in the Thames Valley. Their 2015 Brut Rosé is made solely from red grapes: 90% Pinot Noir with 10% Pinot Meunier.

This 2015 release is superbly structured and combines delicious, ripe red berry flavours of cherry and strawberry with crisp citrus and a delectable toasty richness. So very welcoming, and so very moreish!

Rathfinny Rosé Brut 2016

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Pinot Meunier
Region: Sussex

Rathfinny’s Rosé is all about elegance and subtlety, and that begins with the depiction of the famous Seven Sisters of the East Sussex coast that form the shape of the distinctive branding. It’s a blend of 66% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay and 14% Pinot Meunier.

With its pretty, blush colour in the glass, the Rathfinny entertains with its welcoming, graceful aromas of raspberry, cherry blossom and light honeysuckle. To taste, it’s crisp and energetic upfront, with precise redcurrant, raspberry and wild strawberry flavours.

More delicious English Sparkling Rosé:

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