My English Wine Adventure: The England Growers Walk Around Tasting in London

There are few things more exciting than exploring the burgeoning world of English wine. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Wine Society’s England Growers Walk Around Tasting in London, an event that showcased the diversity and excellence of modern English winemaking. Held in a vibrant and convivial setting, this tasting event featured a dazzling array of still and sparkling wines from some of the most innovative producers across England. Here’s a recap of my delightful experience and some standout wines that truly captured my palate.

England as a Wine-Growing Country

England’s wine industry has evolved remarkably over the past few decades. The country’s cool climate, once a challenge, has become increasingly favorable due to climate change, allowing for better grape ripening and a more consistent harvest. The chalky soils of southern England, particularly in areas like Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire, share a geological similarity with the Champagne region of France, providing an excellent terroir for growing high-quality grapes.

While England is renowned for its sparkling wines, which often rival the best from Champagne, the still wine sector is also gaining recognition. Varieties such as Chardonnay, Bacchus, and Pinot Noir thrive here, producing exceptional still whites and reds. The key wine-growing regions in England include Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, Essex, and Dorset, each offering unique microclimates and terroirs that contribute to the diversity and quality of English wines.

My Experience at the Tasting

As a long-time fan of English sparkling wines, I was eager to explore the offerings at the England Growers Walk Around Tasting. Not surprisingly, there were many fantastic sparkling wines that reaffirmed my love for this category. One standout was the Cuvée Boz Blanc de Blancs, Sugrue South Downs 2015. This luxurious and lively sparkler captivated me with its rich brioche notes, vibrant acidity, and elegant citrus flavors. It was, without a doubt, my favorite sparkling wine of the night.

Another impressive sparkling wine was the Grand Reserve 2018 from Chapel Down. This Kent-based winery produced a luxurious and complex wine with a beautiful blend of brioche, red apple, and lemon on the palatet showcases the high standards of English sparkling wine production.

Moving on to still white wines, I must admit I haven’t always been impressed by them in the past. However, this tasting was a game-changer. The quality of the Chardonnays from Essex and Kent was particularly impressive. The Chardonnay, Danbury Ridge, Essex 2021 was an opulent and layered wine, showcasing rich stone fruit flavors and a creamy texture that stood out. This wine set a new benchmark for me in terms of English Chardonnay.

Similarly, the Simpsons Gravel Castle Chardonnay, Kent 2023 and Simpsons ‘The Roman Road’ Chardonnay, Kent 2022 displayed elegance and complexity. The Gravel Castle Chardonnay offered a silky elegance in every sip, with a touch of creaminess that balanced its vibrant acidity. The Roman Road Chardonnay, on the other hand, provided a lovely creamy mouthfeel and notes of peach, making it a truly luxurious experience.

One of the biggest surprises of the night was the Chapel Down Bacchus, Kent 2023. This wine, with its perfumed nose and tropical fruit flavors, was a refreshing delight. The good acidity and balanced profile made it an ideal wine for summer sipping. It was a clear indicator that English still whites are stepping up their game.

When it came to red wines, I had yet to find an English red that truly impressed me. However, this tasting revealed some gems. The Pinot Noir, Danbury Ridge Essex 2021 was a revelation, with its elegant dark fruit flavors and smooth tannins, proving that England can indeed produce outstanding red wines. The high acidity was well-balanced, making it a sophisticated and enjoyable wine.

Overall, the England Growers Walk Around Tasting was a fantastic showcase of the diversity and quality of English wines. Each wine told a unique story, reflecting the passion and craftsmanship of its producers. It was an enlightening experience that reaffirmed my belief in the potential of English wines to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world. I look forward to seeing how this exciting industry continues to evolve and thrive.

Here are all the wines I tasted with my scores and notes:

Artelium Winery The first stop on my journey was Artelium, a relatively new player on the English wine scene. I was particularly impressed with their Blanc de Noirs, Sussex 2017. With its golden hue and refined bubbles, it offered a rich and balanced profile of red berries and brioche. A delightful start to the tasting!

Score: 4.4 Note: Rich and refined sparkler.

Their Pinot Noir, Sussex 2022 was youthful yet promising, showcasing bright cherry and redcurrant flavors with high acidity that kept it lively and fresh.

Score: 3.6 Note: Bright and fruity, but youthful.

Blackbook Winery Next, I ventured to Blackbook Winery, nestled in the urban heart of Battersea, London. Their Clayhill Vineyard ‘Painter of Light’ Chardonnay 2021 stood out with its elegant, mineral-driven profile, and a refreshing finish that left me wanting more.

Score: 4.1 Note: Mineral-driven and elegant.

Equally impressive was the ‘Pygmalion’ Chardonnay 2020, offering a rich, creamy texture and complex flavors of apple, hazelnut, and stone fruits.

Score: 4.3 Note: Rich and complex.

Black Chalk Hampshire’s Black Chalk wines did not disappoint either. The Classic 2020 was a beautifully balanced sparkling wine with fine bubbles and an elegant finish.

Score: 4.3 Note: Elegant and precise.

But it was the Wild Rose 2020 that truly stole my heart with its vibrant pink hue and exquisite blend of raspberry and strawberry flavors.

Score: 4.5 Note: Vibrant and exquisite.

Chapel Down Chapel Down, one of England’s most successful wineries, presented a stellar lineup. The Grand Reserve 2018 from Kent was a luxurious blend of brioche, red apple, and lemon, offering a complex and opulent tasting experience.

Score: 4.5 Note: Luxurious and complex.

Their Bacchus 2023 was a delightful surprise, with its perfumed nose and tropical fruit flavors balanced by good acidity.

Score: 4.3 Note: Perfumed and refreshing.

Danbury Ridge From Essex, Danbury Ridge’s Chardonnay 2021 was a highlight, demonstrating an opulent and layered profile that set a benchmark for English Chardonnay.

Score: 4.7 Note: Opulent and layered.

Their Pinot Noir 2021 was equally noteworthy, with elegant dark fruit flavors and smooth tannins.

Score: 4.3 Note: Elegant and sophisticated.

Exton Park Exton Park’s RB32 Brut NV offered a bright and fruity profile, perfect for casual enjoyment.

Score: 3.9 Note: Bright and fruity.

The Blanc de Blancs 2014 was refined, with rich citrus and green apple flavors that made for an elegant finish.

Score: 4.1 Note: Elegant and refined.

The Grange The Grange’s Hampshire Classic Brut NV was a balanced delight with citrus and chalky notes.

Score: 4.4 Note: Balanced and sherbetty.

Their Pink Brut NV was fresh and fruity, ideal for a summer picnic.

Score: 4.0 Note: Fresh and fruity.

Langham Langham’s offerings included the Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, a complex and savory sparkling wine.

Score: 4.0 Note: Complex and savory.

The Blanc de Blancs NV was elegant and complex.

Score: 4.1 Note: Elegant and complex.

New Hall Estate New Hall’s Single Estate Pinot Précoce Rosé 2023 was a creamy and refreshing delight, perfect with a summer salad.

Score: 4.3 Note: Creamy and refreshing.

Nyetimber Nyetimber, a pioneer in English sparkling wine, did not disappoint. The Classic Cuvée Brut NV was sophisticated and well-balanced.

Score: 4.2 Note: Classic and sophisticated.

Their Rosé Brut NV was elegant and expressive, with beautiful red fruit flavors.

Score: 4.2 Note: Elegant and expressive.

The Blanc de Blancs Brut 2016 was rich and complex, a testament to Nyetimber’s expertise.

Score: 4.3 Note: Rich and complex.

Finally, the Tillington Single Vineyard Brut 2014 was an opulent and refined sparkling wine that left a lasting impression.

Score: 4.3 Note: Opulent and refined.

The Society’s Wines The Society’s own labels also featured prominently. The Exhibition English Sparkling Wine NVwas bright and easygoing.

Score: 3.8 Note: Bright and easygoing.

Their Exhibition English Blanc de Blancs 2018 was elegant and refreshing, a delightful sparkling wine for any occasion.

Score: 4.0 Note: Elegant and refreshing.

Next stop was Kent winemaker Simpsons with a great selection of wines. Their Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs, 2020 was a refreshing sparkling wine with bright citrus and apple notes, though a touch more complexity would have been appreciated.

Score: 3.9 Note: Fresh and zesty sparkle.

The Canterbury Rosé, 2020 was a vibrant rosé with appealing strawberry and cranberry aromas, perfect for a sunny day.

Score: 4.1 Note: Summer in a glass.

The Gravel Castle Chardonnay, 2023, was elegant and refreshing with a beautiful texture and a touch of creaminess, balanced by vibrant acidity.

Score: 4.2 Note: Silky elegance in every sip.

‘The Roman Road’ Chardonnay, 2022 was rich with a creamy mouthfeel and complex peach and citrus flavors, culminating in a luxurious finish.

Score: 4.4 Note: Opulence and elegance in harmony.

Finally, their ‘Rabbit Hole’ Pinot Noir, 2022 was bright ruby color and showed vibrant cranberry and raspberry flavors, though the finish was slightly short.

Score: 3.8 Note: A fresh take on Pinot Noir.

My next wine was The Society’s English White 2023, which was light and fruity with flavors of gooseberry and citrus, but lacking depth and complexity. This also came in a convenient Bag-in-Box (2.25-litres) format.

Score: 3.7 Note: Light and breezy, but lacking depth.

My final stop was also one of my highlights of the tasting. The Cuvée Boz Blanc de Blancs, Sugrue South Downs 2015 from Sussex is a luxurious and rich sparkler that captivated me with its rich brioche notes, vibrant acidity, and elegant citrus flavors.

Score: 4.7 Note: Love it! Full, rich, brioche with lovely acidity and citrus.