What better way to toast The Coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Consort than with a flute of homegrown English Sparkling Wine? The Coronation Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday 6th - Monday 8th May) will see celebratory events in abundance, so why not mark this special occasion in style and let the champagne flutes clink with Wickhams' picks of some of the country's finest bubblies.
As a sparkling wine producing nation, we are truly bringing our "A" game at the moment, often beating Champagne in competition and blind tastings. In places, the geology of southern England is similar to that found in northern France and our warming temperatures make for the perfect ripening of the holy trinity of sparkling wine grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
Huxbear Classic Sparkling 2018, Sharpham Sparkling Reserve 2015 (both from Devon) and Langham Corallian NV (Dorset) are three stunning jewels in the highly decorated crown of English fizz and are wonderful choices for what will be a wonderful weekend. All are available from wickhamwine.co.uk and as a special offer to honour the new King, Wickhams is offering 10% off these and ANY of their English sparkling wines purchased before the 30th April. That's in addition to the 10% you receive when purchasing 6 or more. Shipping is fast, and free when customers spend over £40.
Huxbear Classic Sparkling 2018, Devon - £25.55 Single Bottle, £23.00 Any 6 Mix, 75cl, ABV: 11.5%
Grown and bottled on the six hectare Huxbear Estate in Devon's Teign Valley, Huxbear Classic Sparkling is a delightful English sparkling wine produced using the methode traditionelle with 24 months lees ageing. It has depth and creaminess and is presented in a lightly sparkling and distinctly Devonian style. It has a classic fresh nose of green apples and hints of pineapple with fine and persistent bubbles. On the palate it is dry and shows plenty of fresh green apple with a touch of biscuitiness. Exceptional value for a fine English sparkling wine.
Sharpham Sparkling Reserve 2015, Devon - £36.50 Single Bottle, £32.85 Any 6 Mix, 75cl, ABV: 12%
Made from a classic sparkling blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this wine has been given time to develop a range of complex flavours. It is a rich and expressive traditional-method English Sparkling Wine. Preserved lemon, spiced apple and baked pastry aromas dominate the nose, while the palate is rounded, complex and creamy with yellow apple and citrus rind flavours and a touch of salinity on the finish.
The producers of exquisite wine for the last 40 years, Sharpham are a grand old dame of English wine making and a real English gem in Devon.
Langham Corallian NV, Dorset - £33.00 Single Bottle, £29.70 Any 6 Mix, 75cl, ABV: 12%
Langham Wine Estate uses only grapes grown in their Dorset vineyard and take a low-intervention approach to both growing and production, minimising their environmental impact wherever possible. None of their award winning English wines are fined or filtered, making them vegan and vegetarian friendly.
The nose is clean and pronounced with complex layers. Gala apple and pear aromas are strongly backed up with toasted brioche and butter and there is a delicate hint of cut grass and hay. The palate shows complex layers of orchard fruit with lemon pith and a citrus acidity that carries the finish on this wine. A welcome touch of salinity and freshly baked brown bread and butter add more dimensions to this wine.
Wickhams is an award-winning independent online wine merchant founded by Dan Farrell-Wright. Sourcing the finest wines from around the world, as well as the UK, Wickhams curate collections from the everyday to the classics, so there's something to suit all tastes. They passionately believe in stocking wines, spirits and gift sets at a range of price points to ensure their products are accessible to all. A special focus is placed on finding producers who have strong stories and strong ethics, with sustainability and diversity at the forefront.
