Sparkling wines are your best bet for a crowd-pleasing New Year’s Eve celebration. They’re easy to drink and don’t have an overwhelmingly dry or sweet taste so will appeal to those who aren't typically drawn to the grape. Plus, they're fun! The bubbles make them seem lighthearted, plus there's always something festive about raising your glass at midnight on New Year's Eve. If you’re in search of a wine that will impress then look no further than the English variety. This stuff has come of age in the past few years, with winemakers producing some truly exceptional bottles that rival French Champagne, Spanish Cava and Italian Prosecco.
English sparkling wines are some of the most exciting out there - here are our top 5 suggestions for welcoming in 2023:
Camel Valley “Cornwall” Brut, £32.95
In the south of England, Camel Valley is a family-owned winery that has been producing sparkling wine since the late 1800s. Their most popular offering is their Brut NV, which is made from 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay. This balanced wine has a light, fresh flavour with hints of citrus and a clean finish. It's perfect for those who want to try something new this New Year's Eve.
Forty Hall London Sparkling Brut, £35.00
This wine from Forty Hall is made in the traditional style of Champagne, with a touch of Chardonnay. It’s also made by a family-owned winery that has been making sparkling wines since 1761. This particular bottle offers up pear and white peach aromas, as well as toasty brioche notes in its taste profile. You can find their wines at Amazon or Fortnum & Mason, but this particular one is only available at the Forty Hall Farm Shop.
Fitz Sparkling Brut, £22.50
This is an affordable sparkling wine, made in the same style as Prosecco (charmat method). You might not be able to guess it from its price, but Fitz's 'Signature Brut' is made by the same family in Chardonnay-producing Burgundy and Champagne that has been making wine since the 12th century. Fitz produce three other sparklings (a rosé, red and white), which are equally delicious and would make great additions to your New Years Eve table.
Langhams Estate Culver NV, £29.50
If you’re looking for something to pop that is a bit different, Langhams Estate Culver NV is a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. This sparkling wine has a rich and creamy texture with complex fruit flavours of pineapple and pears. It also has an elegant acidity that works perfectly with the Sauternes-like richness of this wine.
If you like sweeter wines then this will definitely be one for your list – it’s perfect for serving as an apéritif, or even better paired with chocolate desserts such as tiramisu or chocolate tarts!
Welcombe Hills Ophelia 2014, Blanc de Noirs £29.99
Welcombe Hills Vineyard produces wine from grapes grown just outside Stratford-upon-Avon, home of The Bard. Ophelia is our flagship bubbly and this one (Blanc de Noirs - white wine from red grapes) is made with just 2 varieties: Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It has a soft acidity which makes it very easy to drink! Available online (free local delivery) and with selected local retailers. #warwickshirefizz
Good luck finding your perfect English sparkling wine for your New Year’s Eve celebration - there's plenty of choice! The list of English sparkling wines is quite extensive, so feel free to use these suggestions as a starting point for your next English wine adventure.
Have fun, and we wish you a very Happy New Year!