It has been a challenging and disappointing year for most in many respects, but one thing that certainly hasn’t let us down is the wine. It’s traditional for us to do a festive rundown of the ’12 Wines of Christmas’, but with so many superb wines tasted throughout the year, it was next to impossible to narrow the selection down to just 12 wines.
So this year the team has worked together to select the Great British Wine ‘Class of 2020’. It’s a chance for all of us to look back and reflect upon the best wines of the year, covering still and sparkling wines from across England and Wales.
We’ll be revealing a new category each day for the first ten days of December – so do keep checking back to see if your favourite makes it to our list. If not, feel free to comment below with your favourites.
Menu – GBW Class of 2020
Day 7 | Prestige Cuvée
Representing some of the most expressive and complex textures to be found in English Sparkling Wine, these Prestige Cuvées will certainly make an impression.
Ridgeview Oak Reserve NV
Selected by John:
“The most exciting wine to come from Ridgeview for a long time. This takes the beautiful purity and precision of English Chardonnay and seasons with judicious but considered use of oak. Texturally outstanding”
Hambledon Première Cuvée
Selected by Hannah:
“The Hambledon Première sits upon a pedestal within the range. A nose that transports you to a french bakery; close your eyes and you will see a beautiful display of Tarte au Fraise and Framboise in front of you. 14% was fermented in oak and it spent six years on the lees. The autolysis is well integrated with the red berry, pastry mid-palate, finishing with a zesty grapefruit finish.”
Westwell Late Disgorged Special Cuvee 2014
Selected by Sam:
“This Special Cuvée takes what I love about Westwell’s sparkling wines: crisp acidity and ripe orchard fruit flavours, with a big dollop of buttery, brioche richness on top, thanks to almost five years resting on its lees. A real treat.”
Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvée 2014
Selected by Alex:
“The third vintage of Kings Cuvée and the best yet – much more nuanced oak influence with a soft, creamy, spicy palate showing fresh citrus and leesy characters.”
