The Esquire Guide to English Sparkling Wine: 12 Best Bottles, According to Experts

Chapel Down may be one of the bigger players in the English sparkling wine game, but that doesn’t mean their Brut NV is anything other than artisanal.

In fact, it’s their best-selling bottle – and with good reason, too. Expect a classic blend of chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier and pinot blanc grapes, bringing crisp red apple and lemongrass aromas, with a more subtle, spiced backbone and fine persistent bubbles.

Our winning vineyard also impressed with its Rosé Brut. Expect rich, red berries at the fore and hints of buttery brioche to finish. Paired with a fruit crumble, we can think of no finer way to round-off your Sunday roast.

Based on our blind tasting, it’s not hard to see why Nyetimber is consistently crowned one of the best English sparkling winemakers.

A patient ageing delivers a decadent palate of baked stone fruit and honey, with toasted brioche also coming through. Well-rounded with delicate bubbles, we’d pair this with native oysters and baked lobster for an anniversary meal.

This Blanc de Noirs (100% pinot noir) is undoubtedly one of Gusbourne’s finest releases to date. Aged for 27 months on the lees and a further six in the bottle, its complexity and balance impressed our panel from the off. Generous citrus freshness coupled with light, lingering bubbles make this our go-to for an occasion-worthy aperitif. If you’re getting married this year, make a note.

Though if you're looking extra special, try Gusbourne's Late Disgorged Brut Reserve 2013 – the extended lees ageing brings more depth and complexity for a truly memorable English sparkling wine.

Pale gold with fine bubbles, our panel likened the aroma of Hattingley Valley’s Classic Reserve NV to “walking into a bakery”, with baked apple, brioche and nougat at the fore.

Despite the initial sweetness, this is an exceptionally well-rounded wine, retaining crisp acidity throughout. It’s drinking well now and will only improve with age.

With the growing interest in English soil, it was only a matter of time before Champagne’s big players entered the market. First off the blocks is Louis Pommery; their winemaker, Clément Pierlot, has applied the same expertise and methods to Hampshire-grown grapes, and the results are astonishing.

The mouthfeel is a highlight here, with fine, concentrated bubbles. Flavour-wise, you can expect the classic trifecta of lemon, Granny Smith apple and freshly baked bread, with just a hint of sweet honeycomb to round out the blend. It’s one to stockpile at that price point.

Despite the opening bouquet of summer berries and red apple, the dominance of Chardonnay in this blend ensures freshness and finesse, while that classic brioche backbone prevents it from veering into overly sweet. We’re all for enjoying a glass now, but you can bet we’ll be saving a bottle to pair with summer pavlovas.

Here’s a rich and complex English sparkling – think aromas of poached pear, toasted hazelnuts and pastry on the nose. With its exceptional clarity and moreish, creamy mousse, Busi Jacobsohn’s Cuvée Brut is perfect for pairing with equally decadent flavours, such as truffle cacio e pepe and new season asparagus with hollandaise sauce.

Light gold in the glass with fine, delicate bubbles, this organic English sparkling offers subtle tropical fruit aromas, followed by richer hints of brioche. Very food-friendly, try pairing it with a kitsch lobster cocktail.

Reliably produced by Ridgeview for Waitrose, this Blanc de Blancs is as classic as they come. The nose is dominated by crisp green apple, with baked brioche, lemon curd and a hint of smoke lingering in the background. Dry and refreshing with impressive acidity, this makes a great introduction to English sparkling wine.

Made in the traditional method, Ridgeview’s Bloomsbury NV impressed across the board with its complex fruit flavour (think crisp apple, honeydew melon, and lingering citrus) and pronounced acidity, which would stand up well to seafood. The dominant chardonnay not only ensures freshness but also means this will age wonderfully – if you can wait, that is.

A bright golden colour with a delicate mousse, this Blanc de Blancs is made from 100% chardonnay grapes and exhibits those classic aromas of stone fruit, citrus and buttered toast. Exceptionally well-balanced, it certainly calls for a celebration.

Bolney divided our panel somewhat, with one expert finding the fermented flavour a little too pronounced for their palate. With that said, this would be a winner for anyone who is into more characterful, natural wines with plenty of acidity. Enjoy it by itself to appreciate the more nuanced aromas at play.