I love champagne and I love English fizz – and long gone are the days when you wouldn’t dare mention both in the same sentence. We Brits can hold our heads up: much of what we make is world-class.
I’m delighted, then, that thanks to Honest Grapes, we can feature here one of my all-time favourite English sparkling wine producers – Ambriel in West Sussex, founded and run by Charles and Wendy Outhwaite, huge fans of the Speccie.
Sometimes, though, only champagne will do, and in this Battle of the Bubbles we’ve three first-rate grower champagnes that are more than a match for Grandes Marques.
The Ambriel Huzzah Rosé MV (1), a multi-vintage blend of Pinot Noir (mainly), Chardonnay (some) and Pinot Meunier (a splash), is a favourite of Mrs Ray. She loves its pale salmon hue, its weight and texture, its creamy mousse and its hints of crushed raspberries and strawberries. I love that she can see off a bottle on her own without any help. ‘What’s a champagne stopper?’ she asks. I’m so proud of her. £32.50.
The Ambriel English Reserve MV (2), my pick of the Ambriel range, must surely be England’s only single estate demi-sec. A Pinot Noir-led blend aged for seven years on the lees, it has a dosage of 32g per litre, the extra sweetness giving depth, richness, texture and delight. It’s not lusciously sweet, just sweeter than usual, making it the perfect partner for fruit tarts, wedding cakes and carefree summer picnics. Ideal for effervescent elevenses too. £33.50.
The 2018 Ambriel Wendling Blanc de Blancs (3) is a bona fide Spectator scoop.
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